My Uncle Cricket

Pakistan 282-4
v England
close on Day 1

Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Thursday 22 October 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Dry Day #13
All Balls. No Sup.

We're staying at a hotel in the International Media Production Zone IMPZ. There's nothing of that there mind. It's a Zone. One day, some international media will be produced there. But, not for a while. Build it & they will come.

But, there is now a bus from the Mall Of The Emirates. Which passes right by Dubai Sports City. With a terminus at the wasteland which is currently the International Media Production Zone.

So, I can avoid the throw yourself under a taxi routine in the vain hope of getting back to Dubai. Short bus hop. Or walk....

The set up here is; upper section behind the arm (looks like tour groups), upper wings (booze on the concourse up there), Royal Box & hospitality boxes below. Deep Backward Square to Cow Corner, upper & lower, £3.60 General Admission. Sit where you like. We're in there.

One side & one end closed. Not many in. Bit disappointing really. Classic bit of Dubai nonsense on the way in. You walk up a curving incline to the first checkpoint. No ticket Sir. Retrace your steps. And then ANOTHER HALF MILE AWAY from the ground to the ticket shack on a disheartening piece of Dubai wasteland.

Who makes this Shit up? Put the ticket office there. You know. At. The. Ground.

Pakistan Superfan Update

BBBBRRRRR is here. Manic Kookaburra Laugh is here. Mad Hat is here. It turns out Mad Hat does have a Call. A sort of vibrating turkey gobble noise.

But the big news is the Granddaddy of them all is here. Take a bow Cha Cha. The original & the best. I'm proud to call him my Uncle. He's got the green & white smock with Pakistani flags thing going on. Simple headgear - Pakistan Baseball Cap. No Call. But, a sort of Vogueing pose for the camera to finish his chants. Understated, but Classy.

Me & Mrs Ball Sup have shook the great man's hand & listened to his Wisdom. He talks complete Bollocks of course. Just as I'd hoped.

The Old Fella has left after 70 overs to a standing ovation. Not a dry eye in the house.

Both sides kept their discipline out there. I was very pleased to see England do that. But, little reward. I was hoping if they kept chipping away they'd have 'em seven down. Not to be. Keep at it.

225/457