AFP, Dubai :
For 59-year-old taxi driver Kamal Khan, cricket is war without the shooting. Like most Pathans, known for their tough, battle-hardened nature, defeat is unacceptable.
They may not know all the rules of the game, like the Barmy Army fans of England or India’s Swami Army but Pathans watch cricket out of passion for the sport and for the love of Pakistan.
Kamal, like most of his fellow Pathans, often skips his taxi-driving duties to watch cricket in the United Arab Emirates, the neutral venue where Pakistan have been forced to play since 2009’s terror attacks on the visiting Sri Lanka team back home.
A 30-dirham ticket ($8) gives fans a comfortable seat in the stands or a place on the mound and the rest is enjoyment.
“Cricket is the only entertainment for us in this country,” Kamal, who has been driving a cab in Abu Dhabi for 13 years, told AFP.
The 9/11 attacks on the United States, and the ensuing war in Afghanistan and around Pakistan’s north-west Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, forced hundreds of Pathans to move to the Gulf in search of a more lucrative and peaceful way of life.
A taxi driver like Kamal earns 4,000 dirhams to 7,000 dirhams (around $1,100 to $1,900) a month but the 24/7 job takes its toll.
“Most of the taxi drivers have kidney stones because they don’t drink much water to avoid going to the toilet,” said Kamal.
“Life is tough and there was no enjoyment but since cricket arrived here we are very happy that we can watch our players.”
