Pakistan fan watches match on wedding night; Aaron Finch wants his wife to take a note of it

Fans in the subcontinent love their teams, no matter how they do on the ground. Pakistan, who have not done great this year and have managed to win just one bilateral series so far which was against a second-string Sri Lanka side in the ODIs at home, are currently touring Australia. Led by a new captain in Babar Azam, the Men in Green averted a defeat in the first match in Sydney, thanks to rain but they could not save a loss in the second game in Canberra on Tuesday to trail the three-match series 0-1.

David Warner, the hero of Australia’s last series — against Sri Lanka – could not do much in the second game but it was the Kangaroos’ hero of this year’s Ashes – Steve Smith – who won hearts with a 51-ball 80 not out at the Manuka Oval.

For Pakistan, a couple of half-centuries from Babar (50) and Iftikhar Ahmed (62 not out) took the team total to 150 for 6 but it proved to be inadequate at last as the hosts won by seven wickets with nine balls to spare. The first game was washed out after Australia found themselves in a strong position.

Pakistan fan weds the same day as Aus-Pak game but doesn’t forget the match

However, an interesting episode came up later on social media, connected to the first game. A Pakistan fan based in Michigan, US, had his wedding when the two sides were playing in their first match at the SCG which was reduced into a 15-over affair.

The fan, named Hasan Tasleem, later wrote to the ICC about his passion for cricket and sent a picture that showed him and his newly wed bride turning around to remain glued to the TV screens to watch the game even at odd hours (Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Michigan). The fan said he has made it a point to stay late to watch Pakistan play during his stay in North America.

Australia captain Aaron Finch was quick to take note of the ICC’s tweet and said he was glad for having played a special part in Tasleem’s day. He also tagged his wife Amy asking her to “Take note”.

Finch was batting on 37 in just 16 balls in the inconclusive first game and was frustrated that there was a 20-minute interval in the rain-hit game that denied the hosts a comfortable win. Only 11 more deliveries had to be bowled in the game for it to be considered a completed game and Australia were well ahead of the asking run-rate to win the match.