Indo-Pak have something to cheer about as Ireland crush Tigers

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 16 (UNI) It was supposed to be the mother of all battles between India and Pakistan at Kensington Oval yesterday, but it later ended in a battle between two shocking second round qualifiers Ireland and Bangladesh.

''Inconvenience regretted for the India-Pakistan fans. Now watch Ireland-Bangladesh match,'' wrote a placard at the stand, which summed up the entire mood of the ground.

The entire cricketing world was glued to this day. All the tickets were also sold out much in advance. But when both India and Pakistan took their flight back home just after the group stages, the cancellation of tickets started. However, to avoid any further embarrasment of empty stands, the organisers yesterday, opened the stadium for free after 1100 hours, allowing more than 5000 spectators inside the stadium.

Interestingly, a portion of dejected Indian and Pakistani fans who bothered not to cancel their tickets, threw their entire support behind the Irish boys, which eventually helped the debutants in drubbing Bashar's men by 74 runs.

In the post match press conference, the Irish captain Trent Johnston was even seen acknowledging the unexpected support, saying, ''I must thank both India and Pakistani fans for supporting us.'' UNI