India-Pakistan warmup looked like the final

The Oval wore the festive look of a final Wednesday as tens of thousands of fans packed the famed cricket ground for an ICC World Cup warmup tie between India and Pakistan. In contrast, matches involving South Africa and Sri lanka – let alone Netherlands vs. Scotland – were attended by only a smattering of spectators.

Seas of blue and green – the colours of the India and Pakistan teams – swept through the ground for the Twenty20 match, which was billed by the organisers as a ‘Catch the Spirit’ event to raise funds for the victims of the Lahore terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in March.

The match, held amid tight security, lived up to expectations in the first half-hour, swinging wildly in favour of India and Pakistan – every boundary and wicket cheered on by delirious supporters.

India won the match by 9 wickets.

IANS