16.4.2008
V. V. Subrahmanyam ( The Hindu)
Photo: Satish. H

Former Pakistan leg spinner Abdul Qadir, Pakistan actor Reema Khan and ICL Chairman Kapil Dev at the ICL Twenty20 final at the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad.

HYDERABAD: Well, if someone in the vicinity of the near-full Lal Bahadur Stadium was tempted to believe that India had just scripted a fabulous finish in a World Cup final, he or she should not be faulted. For such was the passion which was evident when the Indian XI went around for a victory lap after a come-from-behind, 10-run win over the star-studded World XI led by Kiwi Chris Cairns on Tuesday night. In a way, it was a splendid double delight.

For all those who were pessimistic of the success of the Indian Cricket League – be it the Edelweiss 20s Challenge which the local favourites Hyderabad Heroes won or the inaugural ICL 20s World Series which Rajagopal Sathish’s team clinched tonight, the turn-outs at the venue for all important matches bears testimony of the plain fact that for the cricket-crazy fans, what matters is action under perfect ambience. And the floodlit venue provided that in plenty.

There were plenty of novelties too - three challenges available for the fielding and batting sides, cheer girls dancing to popular tunes every time a boundary was scored or at the fall of a wicket.

Call it a first-time opportunity or anything else, the fans of twin cities’ fans seemed to have enjoyed watching the mix of truly world- class cricketers like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Damien Martyn, Jason Gillespie, Chris Cairns, to name a few, lining up for different teams.

No wonder Kapil Dev, chairman of the executive board of ICL, promises to come back to the city for the next edition in October itself. It is an indisputable fact that the crowd response provided the oxygen for the Essel Group which took onus of organising these tournaments.

Courtesy - SNNI