Broadcasters Telecast Cricket History As Coronavirus Pandemic Leaves Cricket Leagues Suspended:
Despite no live cricketing action around due to the current epidemic of coronavirus, broadcasters have rolled back the pages for cricket enthusiasts by televising clips from the most unforgettable matches played in the past.
During a time when Ramayan’s Doordarshan re-telecast along with many other iconic series like Mahabharat, Circus, and Byomkesh Bakshi made the spectators glued to their TV sets, even sports broadcasters have gone down a similar course.
Star Sports has been televisioning many exciting matches from the past involving India and Pakistan to the delight of the younger generation. It was the turn of the famous India-Pakistan World Cup match in South Africa from 2003 on Tuesday.
At first batting, Pakistan posted 273 competitive runs on board, relying on a lot of openers Saeed Anwar (101 of 126). In reaction, Sachin Tendulkar scored a memorable 75-ball 98 where he smashed bowlers from Pakistan to every part of the ground.
Then New Batsman, Mohammad Kaif Renewed India’s Innings:
After adding 53 runs with Virender Sehwag to the opening wicket, India lost Sourav Ganguly’s wicket – which was dismissed by his counterpart Waqar Younis for a first-ball duck.
The new batsman Mohammad Kaif then revived India’s innings for the third wicket with a vital 102-run stand. Kaif’s 60-ball 35 was crucial as Tendulkar looked in fine shape and needed the other end of support. However, Kaif’s son Kabir wasn’t pleased by the match’s highlights.
Kaif posted a video where his son was watching the match and after Kaif scored a boundary off Akhtar’s bowling past deep midwicket, his son said it would not be difficult because of his pace to score runs against The Rawalpindi Express.
“Thanks to @StarSportsIndia, finally Kabir gets to relive that historic #INDvPAK game. But junior isn’t too impressed with Papa, says hitting @shoaib100mph must be easy since there is pace in his bowling. Kids today I tell you…phew! Smiling face with open mouth and cold sweat #QuaranTime #LifeInLockdown,” Kaif tweeted.
In the match context, after Shahid Afridi dismissed Kaif in the 22nd over of the innings, Akhtar dismissed Tendulkar, who was struggling with cramps, for 98. Then Yuvraj Singh (50 * off 53) and Rahul Dravid (44 * off 76) scored unbeaten 99 runs to see India through for the fifth wicket.
