Unbottling the noise

Unlike the packed house at Faisalabad, the National Stadium in Karachi is just around half full. Yet one sensed a more intense atmosphere within the stadium, with the noise adding to the ambience. Bottles, one realised, also played a vital part.

Through the day it was impossible to miss the rhythmic beating of plastic bottles on the chairs, providing a beat for the on-field events. It would usually begin in one stand, gather momentum within that enclosure and gradually spread through the stadium. It happens in most big venues but the National Stadium somehow appeared to have an amplified accoustic effect.

A jarring noise lent vibrancy to the action, a noise mixed with plastic-crunching mixed with anticipation mixed with ecstacy. There was hardly a moment of silence through the day - unlike at Faisalabad when Indian boundaries and wickets were acknowledged with a hush.

A stream of expectation flowed across the stadium when Pathan was on a hat-trick (it was surprising to hear a slow clapping precede the delivery) and one could feel the palpable gasp when Tendulkar received a clattering blow to his helmet.

There may have been several hoarse throats at the end of it all, but after such a day of cricket who will ever complain?