Last week, I had a chance to fulfill one of my lesser fantasies as a Pakistan cricket fan – I was invited to attend the launch of Pakistan’s official World Cup 2015 jersey.
Hosted by #PepsiCricket and organised by #JBnJaws, it was all in all an interesting and slightly surreal experience.
Much of the suspense regarding the main event – the unveiling of the kit – had been deflated a day earlier, after news channels seemed to have burst into the factory making the uniform, and released pictures on-air.
Nevertheless, the event itself was still abuzz with excitement when we walked into the venue.
There was a large phalanx of journalists and busy looking, young men in suits, surrounded by fake trees festooned in Pepsi cans and a DJ who alternated between remixes of previous World Cup anthems, as well as oddly appropriate tracks like Chris Issak’s Wicked Games. Given the relationship between the team and its fans, it was the most apt choice the DJ made all night.
Influenced perhaps by the (still unbelievable) Lahori culture of weddings starting and ending on time, things got underway relatively punctually as the cricketers began filtering in at the appointed time. The stage with its large screens and Bond-entry style layout was also excellent, and the general décor and ambience suited the occasion too.