Germany or Pakistan?

Pakistan 378 all out
v England 182-3
close on Day 2

Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Friday 23 October 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Dry Day #14

There was major Supping news today. The refreshment stall in the General Admission stand ran out of Diet Pepsi around Tea. There had better be a major restock before tomorrow.

And, some general drunken buffoonery in the outer. Up there in the Premier West Stand. I presume they were just buying industrial quality and quantities of lager over the bar. Main protagonist was some character in an Italia 90 England Football top. I heard them sing the National Anthem. Including the "No Surrender" middle eight.

They were in the back row. And up and down the aisle all the time. Presumably to the bar. Basically drawing attention to themselves. It seems the stewards were not enough for them. And eventually Dubai Plod made their way up there. You are thinking, blimey - that can't end well.

After close of play. As my bus was pulling away, they were still at it outside the ground. Moving the bollards to form temporary roadblocks. Stamina if nowt else.

Here is one thing I have learned by attending cricket in the Emirates.  Everyone, & I mean everyone, has a better mobile than me. From the most souped up Emirati to the apparently most downtrodden migrant worker. They are all constantly at it. Phone calls, messages, Twitter this, Twitter that, selfies, video, the lot. All on state-of-the-art dog and bones.

Best thing about the cricket today? The fact that Root & Bairstow made it to the close. So, thankfully, we were spared another brainless Nightwatchman display from Mark Wood.

The continuing disciplined display from England meant that Pakistan pulled up under par. Wood doing what he does best. With the ball.

Shaping up this one.

The toilet attendant in the Ladies had Mrs Ball Sup in fits. She asked her who was winning, "Germany or Pakistan?"

226/458