Cricket in the Streets of Pakistan , Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 9:18 AM, in

There hasn't been a day in the last sixteen summers that the cricket in our street has not been played. They (players, kids and the spectators) will come out in the noon while the elders are sleeping at their homes and will rush to the dead end of the street. Yes the dead end! Its where the wickets are placed so that there is no wicket keeper, no slips, no fine leg and third man! There is only one rule in this form of cricket; hit the ball as hard as you can and for the bowlers is to ball as fast as they can. Certain rules and tricks are in the blood of these legends. You will not see a single ball being pitched up to the batsman and there are no straight elegant drives ever. This cricket continues through out the year until the news comes of the annual Summer Gala. That's the time when the best players are chosen and they are taken to the ground-yes the real ground!
The annual Summer Gala 2009 was a fun.





There were as many teams as many are the streets-around 110 teams! 10 matches per day were to be played and every match was of 8 overs only. The team from my street made it to the finals after 20 days of continues matches and they were not rested for the final as well. Average score in these matches is around 100-130.
The final is always a mega event as some MPA is always invited to do the final prize distribution. Even price distribution is fun. The prizes are fixed and stipulated. Once someone sees that the game is going one way, he will put a huge price for the player who performs from the other side. This works as a catalyst and keeps putting the spirit in the game. Generally players end up with great money and the unofficial prize announcers get great publicity. There are even prices for a great diving stop!
Over all its fun and it was more fun this year.





Many players made good many and all other had great time playing their favorite game. The spectators came from all around the city and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. You can watch the photo coverage of the this event and other such local festivals here.

http://amk-pakistan.blogspot.com/