English fans outnumber Pakistan in first Test

English fans outnumbered Pakistan fans for the first time in UAE on the first day of the first Test match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Though Barmy Army, the group of English cricket fans which follows the England team around the world, was not in full force, hundreds of English fans lined up at the gates before the start. Tour Operators that flew in hundreds of cricket fans from England marked the seats in different colours to distinguish their group from the rest. Hence some seats were wrapped in yellow and red colours. With the supporters wrapping the railing with their Union Jack Flag, the stadium resembled one of England's home ground though the wicket was alien to the English batsmen. Some of the fans preferred to be seated in scant clothing under the Sun for a tan. "We made all arrangements in conjunction with the tour operators to make it comfortable for the fans. We are keen in helping the promotion of sports tourism in the UAE," Maqbul Dudhia, the Dubai Sports City General Manager Sports Business, told Gulf News. Barmy Army is likely to be in full force during the Third Test here as many believe it could be a decider and also watch the One-day series too. "England fans buy their tickets early and hence the Platinum tickets for the One-day matches are already sold out," added Dudhia, who has issued free tickets to school children in the UAE for the Test matches. Students from Jumeirah English Speaking School, Wellington International School, Dubai English Speaking College, Dubai British School, Shaikh Rashid Pakistan School free tickets were present on the first day cheering their heroes. Being a minority in the stadium Pakistan fans was unusually silent. It also sparked a debate as to whether Pakistan fans only prefer instant cricket to the traditional Test matches. "The fall of quick England wickets will be too juicy for the Pakistan fans to resist from being in the stadium from tomorrow despite their job commitments," said Dudhia.