Sri Lanka fans ignore bureaucrats to salute Murali
Tags:
Sri Lankan fans braved tight security and ignored a rash of petty municipal restrictions to watch Muttiah Muralitharan play his final home game in the World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.
The government, which spent $8 million renovating the stadium, had banned games of hopscotch and even cricket in the street were banned.
"Who cares?" shrugged 10-year-old Sanidu Thilakaratne, when asked why he defied orders to play cricket with his friends, as spectators, walking to the ground, ducked out of the way of the ball.
"We cut school to watch Murali (Muralitharan), he won't play in Sri Lanka again," his friend 12-year-old Lahiru Sampath said.
Muralitharan, the world's leading wicket-taker with 800 Test and 532 one-day wickets, went into Tuesday's game half-fit, after suffering a bruised knee and a quadriceps injury picked up during the group stages.
Ahead of the game, Muralitharan said he wouldn't feel any pressure from his last home game.
"Playing your last match in your country is emotional. When I played my last Test and took eight wickets it was very emotional," said Muralitharan of his last Test against India in 2010.
Specators waved the national flag, blew horns and cheered when the 38-year-old spin wizard walked onto the field ahead of the game to warm-up with the team.
He turned around and smiled at the rapturous crowd support.
"The nation awaits you Murali," waved one placard, while another said "Murali, thank you for the memories."
"Sri Lanka must win this for Murali," said a television executive Nishani Pigera.
"That's the best gift we can give to send off a legend at his last game on Sri Lanka soil".
If Sri Lanka win on Tuesday, Muralitharan will play his last international match in the final on April 2 in Mumbai against either India or Pakistan.
Post new comment