Pakistan fans remain hopeful despite US shock

LONG ISLAND (NEW YORK): Even the upset loss against the US in the opening match in Dallas could not dampen Pakistan fans’ spirits as they hope to see the Greenshirts rising to the occasion in a crunch match against archrivals India on Sunday (today) at the Nassau County Stadium.

A large Pakistani community lives here in the Long Island surroundings, almost an hour’s drive away from Manhattan. The areas of West Burry, Plain Field, Hicksville, and Nassau County surrounding the Stadium are where all eyes are focused now. All these fans are eager to see Pakistan rising from the upset defeat and taking on India as if it is just the start of the event.

“Pakistan will have to forget about the defeat against the US in Dallas, keeping in mind that such things do happen and that is why the word of upset is there,” ,” Munir Hussain, who works for the New York Times, said. “Now every player who would be there in the playing XI against India will have to give his best in an effort to win the match. Believe me, beating India is very much possible. Pakistan team is required to make the best use of the opportunities coming their way, whether in batting, bowling or fielding.”

His son Yasir Hussain, born and bred in the USA, has no real love for the game but is eager to see Pakistan ending up on the winning side against India.

“Look, I am not an ardent cricket fan, yet I cannot see Pakistan losing against India and that too in New York where we often come across Indians living here in numbers. I want Pakistan to win no matter what happens in other matches. We have already lost against the US and cannot afford to lose another match and that too against the arch-rivals. So I would request Pakistan players to raise the level of their game to the tune where they beat India,” he said.

Fans remember Haris Rauf’s untidy over against the US where he conceded 15 runs to present an unexpected victory to the host nation. Some of the fans demanded resting Haris and including Abbas Afridi in the crunch match against India.

“Look Haris has already made a mess of the last over against the US. He must be down in confidence. The best option is to rest the bowler and include Abbas instead. Haris may not be in a position to rise to the occasion and bowl the way he should,” Hafeez Shah, who has been living in New York for over two decades, said.

He also reminded Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to take a leaf out of their strategy book that saw the pair bulldozing India two years back with a ten-wicket defeat in the UAE.

“They can repeat that performance. What the record breaking pair needs is belief and confidence in themselves,” he said.

Others admitted India are a far better side as they are carrying rhythm and form with them. “I think India is one of the best sides around with form and rhythm they are carrying with them. Still, we want Pakistan to make an all-out effort to stay in the hunt for a place in the next round,” Shakil Ahmad, a software engineer, said.