He was a middle-aged man, balding, silver-dusted hair, a grey sweater, dark trousers. His belt buckle was, incongruently, the Texas pan-handle. He seemed to be walking intently, with long purposeful strides amid the chaos of the shopping center, his eyes fixed at some imaginary sign-post. Or perhaps it was a real sign, I honestly have no idea.
Suddenly, he broke his stride. Took two long gallops and corkscrewed his right arm to deliver, what looked like a leg-spin down the pitch. It was a startling interruption. Least expected. He let his hand linger at the top of the arc, letting his wrist sink down. I don’t know if his mind’s eye was relishing a wicket or maybe he had just hopelessly beaten the bat. He didn’t smile or cheer to reveal his vision.
And then he continued on.
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Beautiful Manan- captures a sight often seen back home.
It has been three years since I moved to the US, I haven’t watched any cricket, and given the state of affairs of Pakistani cricket, that is just as well… nevertheless, there are times during my numerous smoking breaks outside the office when I can’t help unleash a viciously spinning chinaman (yes, I’m left-handed) or a booming cover drive, both imaginary of course…
These Americans hardly seem to notice, bless their souls…
I have done similar things myself; off and on suddenly taking jump shots in the middle of a road or a shopping mall even in my early sixties.
In your early sixties, the team requires you to play the sheet anchor role and go for a hundred!
every morning after shaving I bowl some googlies in front of my bathroom mirror
i get plenty of cricket here in New York. i fly imaginary kites.tell me manan if lahories are allowed to have those crazy kite fights or not. Is the basant happening this year?
I believe Basant is happening – though it is too cold still to see any paichas. For the record, yes, Aamir does fly imaginary Kites. I has seen.
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