ICC World Twenty20: Garden Talk

Singing sensation AB
The loudest cheer went for Amitabh Bachchan's baritone singing of the national anthem with close to 60000 spectators on their feet and chanting alongside Big B. Dressed in a black tuxedo, Bachchan arrived much before time at 5.45 in his black Merc and tight security. But the legend had to wait for a long time before the proceedings began at the Eden Garden as the skies decided to open up at the wrong time even as the legend sat patiently in the President's box along with his son Abhishek Bachchan and chief minister Mamata Banerjee as also Pakistani singer Shafaqat Amanat Ali Khan who was dressed in a band gala and was there to sing the Pakistani national anthem. Finally, at 8.25, after Khan had done the honours for his country, Big B sang beautifully, almost in slow mo and the entire crowd was enchanted, applauding loudly at the end.
Moment of the legends
Before the AB moment, legends of the game from both sides of the border were fecilitated by Mamata Banerjee who presented them a bouquet and a memento for their contribution to the game. Imran Khan who now heads a political party in Pakistan came in his traditional black pathani suit while Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis stuck to a formal suit. on the Indian side, the great Sachin Tendlkar was all smiles and said, "nice to see the stalwarts from Pakistan, we welcome them here ... we hope for a fantastic match, let's enjoy cricket above all." Imran, however, was more demanding. "Hope it will be a great match but the result I hope is the same when I played here the last time," said Imran, referring to the Nehru Cup final of 1989 which Pakistan had won under his captaincy by humbling the West Indies. As for chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her faux pas of calling ICC, ICCI was welcomed with cheers and laughter and the lady joined in.
Fantastic cover-up

The rain came when it was least expected and the early morning shower had everyone scurring to the weatherman online. "It will rain only till 5 pm after which the skies will clear. But the drainage system of Eden Gardens is not so great," was the woe of avid cricket fan Mehul who also said he would be praying for a washout if India showed signs of losing. He was wrong in his first assessment as the grounds staff did a wonderful job covering up the entire outfield and the pitch with giant covers and gave the ground to the players only with two overs reduced. 
Source: Sunday Pioneer, 20 March, 2016

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