DUBAI: The Dubai International Stadium was absolutely buzzing on the bright Sunday afternoon. While the cricketing rivalry between these two countries doesn't have that much of a history compared to the men's game, cricket fans showed up.
Precisely, a 15,935-strong crowd cheered for both teams. Amongst them was the special group of players. They are the hosts, but today, the players from the UAE women's cricket team were also the most excited spectators on the ground.
"It was a brilliant experience," UAE's spinner Vaishnave Mahesh told this daily after the match. "It is so lovely to watch the women's game get so much crowd at the neutral venue."
Captain Esha Oza echoed the sentiments. "A few days ago, we were speaking with a few of our friends and they were asking for our help with tickets because tickets were already sold out. I mean, this is the first time, the women's India vs Pakistan game has been played at this venue and the stadium was sold out. The craze for cricket is on. Whether it is men's cricket or women's. And having a great game helped," she added.
All-rounder Kavisha Egodage had already booked tickets for the game and made sure her parents were also in the crowd on Sunday to witness this once-in-a-lifetime experience for the women's game.
"It was all goosebumps. When kids were bringing on the flags and when the national anthems were going on, it was surreal. My friends were asking for tickets because that is the craze we are going for regardless of gender."
When asked about the standout moment of the game for the cricketers turned spectators, the two moments took the cake. Richa Ghosh's diving catch to dismiss the opposition captain was closely followed by the two wickets Fatima Sana took in an over to shift the momentum in Pakistan's way.
"That was a stunner, I think. It's one in a million catches and to watch that live was a great experience," Theertha Satish, wicketkeeper herself, said. "My one moment would be those two-in-two wickets that Fatima Sana took. I was cheering to have a good game and we did get one," opined Siya Gokhale.
For Egodage, however, the cricketing brain took over as she noticed how both teams were quickly managing their field placements as and when it was necessary. "I think watching them adapt to conditions and quickly make field changes was something I observed. At one point, there was a fielder at short mid-wicket but the batter was not hitting there, but hitting to fine leg, so the fielding side quickly made the necessary changes. That is something you see more in the ground."
For Vaishnave, watching India leg spinner Asha Joy was a learning experience in itself. "Ever since Asha Di made it to the national team, I have watched her bowling closely, but today I observed it closely. I am a leg spinner, so I wanted to absorb as much as possible while watching today. I will try to implement that in my bowling," she said.
UAE's regular team manager, Subha Srinivasan, has been attached to the Indian team as a liaison officer and the team could not be proud of one of their own. As the Indian team was getting on the bus after the match, this group of players was there to cheer Subha. Even when a few fans stayed back to see both India and Pakistan teams leave, one could not say who was getting the loudest cheers. The instantly named "Subha Ji Cheer Squad" did not fade even with the looks they got from fans.
"Hashtag Subha Ji is on the roll now," Egodage laughed. "Since she is with the biggest team out there, her insight into what team culture looks like and how they approach things can be passed on to us. Whatever she sees or something she picks from them, can help us improve as players because every day we are looking to improve as players."
"I think it's a different pride and happiness we all feel with her being with the team. One of our own is with one of the biggest teams in the world, so for her, it is one of the biggest experiences and she will bring back what she learned from the team to us. She has played domestic cricket in India also so she has a lot of input as well," Gokhale, one of the loudest members of the cheer squad added.
After watching this reporter struggle in the heat and when asked if the conditions would improve, Samaira Dharnidharka, one of the youngest members of the squad said "Nope, This is Dubai's winter." "It will take time for players to adjust with it but it is as pleasant as it could get. We could see Australian players struggle in the heat. Maybe for the players from the subcontinent it might not matter that much but players from Scotland or Australia struggle in these conditions."
While they were watching the game, the hurt of not being there was still haunting all of them. After coming close to beating Sri Lanka, one of the participants in this edition during the Qualifiers, it could have them playing at these venues soaking it all in. And that is when they said in one voice that they would like to be here and soon. Dubai Cricket Stadium enjoyed the cricket. But for a few it was a lesson and inspiration. It was an opportunity to cheer one of their own and they took it with both hands.