Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq walks back towards the pavillion after being dismissed for 35 runs on the first day of their match against Indian Board President's XI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.



Indian Board President's XI spinner Venugopal Rao celebrates after dismissing Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (unseen) on the first day of their match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.




Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq walks back towards the pavillion after being dismissed for 35 runs on the first day of their match against Indian Board President's XI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005. It was Inzamam's 35th birthday on Thursday.



Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq eats a 'ladoo' to celebrate his birthday after first day's play in Dharmshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.



Supporters stand behind a sign wishing happy birthday to Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as they wait for restart of the rain-affected match between Pakistan and an Indian Board President's XI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.



Supporters shelter from rain under an umbrella as they wait for restart of the rain-affected match between Pakistan and an Indian Board President's XI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.



Supporters shelter from rain under an umbrella as they wait the restart of the rain-affected match between Pakistan and a Indian Board President's XI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.



Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (right) is accompanied by an official as he walks off the field after the toss for a three-day match against Indian Board President's XI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.




Indian Board President's XI bowler Gagandeep Singh (right) makes an unsuccessful LBW appeal against Pakistani batsman Salman Butt (left) on the first day of their match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.



Indian Board President's XI bowler Gagandeep Singh (left) celebrates the dismissal of Pakistani batsman Younis Khan (unseen) on the first day of their match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday, March 3, 2005.

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Amazing backdrop, wouldn't you agree ?

Indian Folk Dancers




Indian folk dancers perform a routine during the lunch interval, Indians BP XI v Pakistanis, Dharamshala, March 4, 2005
Prakash Singh


Razzaq's Daughter

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I remember the independence cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Gwalior. I went to a dinner at which all the members of the team came. It was good fun, at that time, the Sri Lankans were the world champions. My fondest memory is Afridi hitting sixes into the press box !!!!!!!!

My friend wanted to get the autograph of an unknown Pak player, who was fetching water at that time, I said no use yar, he will probably never play for the team. Little did I know that it would be Abdur Razzaq !!!! Biggest miscalculation I ever made ......


There was also this incident at the dinner when Venkat (The umpire) was rip-roaring drunk, and was telling all the kids (including me) how he used to practice 5 hours a day to reach where he did, and boring us all to death, when a young Saqlain walked in. Ventak then proceeded to tell him how he will become the best spinner in thw world, poor Saqqi responded with a series of "ji sirs". It was quite funny. What was not funny was that his prophecy came true !!!!!


That is one player I miss in the Pakistani squad, he was probably one of the only spinners in the recent past who could go through the Indian batting line up.


cheers,

Nice place to paly in summer but in this weather??

Chief,

The grounds in India are assigned on a quote system, so that no region gets left out, thid id not usually rain time.