England's 'Barmy Army' marching into Pakistan
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Tuesday (AFP) - England's "Barmy Army" of
cricket supporters started to arrive in Pakistan Tuesday, hoping their
bawdy chants can help the team keep up its Ashes-winning form.
"We're the first batch," said veteran supporter Phil Long as he and
three of his colleagues crammed into a taxi bound for Pindi stadium,
where England are playing their tour opener against the Pakistan Cricket
Board Patron's XI.
"It's as important a tour as the Ashes for England, and beating
Pakistan in their den could be even tougher than beating the
Australians," said Long.
The "Barmy Army" are famous for their raucous cheers and humorous
songs and travel across the globe to cheer England, who are still on a
high from last month's 2-1 Ashes series win against Australia, their
first in 18 years. Pakistan cricket officials are hoping a larger than
usual number of English fans will come for the series, drawn by mounting
interest in the game after the Ashes. The tour is expected to bring a
windfall to hoteliers in Pakistan who are anticipating full houses in
the Test venue cities of Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore.
Long's three companions Keith Smith, John Freeman and Jonathon Dyson
- all from the English county of Leicestershire - intend to stay in
Pakistan for the whole tour on a budget of 89 dollars a day (50 pounds).
"It's fun to be in Pakistan," said Smith, 21, who thinks England are on
a roll and will beat Pakistan. "Both teams are balanced and it'll be an
exciting series," added Freeman.
Smith said another batch of fans will arrive in the eastern city of
Lahore next week for England's second warm-up match, followed by more
ahead of the first Test in Multan from November 12.
He insisted they faced no security problems in Rawaplindi, despite
earlier concerns by England officials which led to one Test being
shifted from the volatile southern city of Karachi.
"There are no fears and we've been well received in Pakistan," he
said. |