Cricket is less known in Germany yet when the biggest sporting event of the year took place, Jacobs University and its diversity came into play. On October 24, Pakistan played its arch-rivals India in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
While - of course - a jam-packed crowd had taken over the Ring of Fire, the Dubai International Stadium, it has been widely reported that over 1.6 billion people watched the showdown between the two neighbouring countries.
The South-Asian community at the Jacobs University along with others also came along to witness the match. In College 3’s media room, a packed crowd were seen cheering for their respective teams. And although Pakistan made the game a rather one-sided affair, it’s the harmony that the community at campus showed that really won that day.
It should be noted that a huge number of South-Asians reside on campus indulged in different courses, majors, and routines, but when it comes down to cricket and Pakistan-India showdown at that, it goes without saying that nothing else really matters then.
“I’ve been waiting for this match for months, to be honest, and it’s really nice and comforting to know that we can, even though we’re hundreds of miles away from home, watch this match in the same spirit here on campus with all of our friends,” said one Pakistani guy from Nord who had come all the way to College 3 for the match. “It’s amazing to see so many people here, supporting their respective teams and having so much fun. It’s a pleasure to be here and it’s a pleasure to witness this historic match,” said another supported.
In the midst of shouting and cheering, a number of other students who had no idea about cricket came just for the environment. “I’m trying to learn cricket and trying to educate myself on this sports. They don’t really play cricket where I’m from, but it’s really cool knowing that there’s a part of the world that’s crazy about this sports.”
A fact about the match that also made it historic is that Pakistan had never won a World Cup match against India ever since the two countries’ independence from the British Empire in 1947. Pakistan winning the match by 10 wickets surely have secured the match’s importance in the Hall of Fame of the sports. “I can’t believe Pakistan has won. I’ve been waiting for this moment for my entire life. I don’t know how to react, to be honest, I wasn’t prepared for this at all.”
All-in-all, I never thought there would be such a big turn up for the match and as a huge cricket fan, I can say that it was one of the best days I’ve spent on campus in the three years I’ve been here.
BY MUHAMMAD SHAHZAIB TAHIR AWAN (PAKISTAN) | CLASS OF 2022
