Things to know before attending your first cricket match
Now that BPL is back, many of you will be setting foot inside a cricket stadium for the first time. If you're a part of this lucky bunch, read on for the do's and don't's of a cricket stadium, young padawan.
YOUR BELONGINGS ARE NOT OKAY
No, I'm not warning you about bag-snatchers in the crowd (although they exist too). What I'm talking about is the intensive security checks. While not as bad as those during international matches, they're still thorough- they will take anything they can get their hands on. Most of the time you can't carry large, bulky bags; women's handbags are okay, however. If they're in the mood, they seize mini-mirrors/lipstick from said bags. There are no fixed rules for this: they could take anything. I learned this the hard way when I lost my favourite pair of headphones at a security check. The same could happen to you if you bring your DSLR for some a e s t h e t i c pictures.
The good news is mobile phones are a-ok so your Snap Stories will be entertaining for once. You can also bring any banners/posters provided you've painted them beforehand- this is great for all the single ladies who want to let the world know exactly how they feel about Taskin's marriage.
THE WEATHER IS FICKLE
From the comfort of your home, you may not realise the strange ways the temperature at a stadium varies in pre-winter. During the day matches when the sun is beating down you'll regret wearing that leather jacket. While looking cool, you'll be boiling inside- especially when you start cheering your lungs out for every wicket and six. However, this doesn't mean you can leave it at home. Because by the time the sun starts to sink and the first game is almost over, the fog sets in. How did you think all that dew was getting on the field, genius? The onset of fog is accompanied by chilly winds so you're sure to get a runny nose and achy throat if you don't pack some warm clothing.
SO. MANY. PEOPLE.
Even if the BPL isn't as big as a Momtaz concert, plenty of people show up at the stadiums. If you don't want to miss any of the cricket, I'd recommend setting out early to avoid the crowds. You do not want to be stuck in the gigantic queues outside, wondering what on earth is making the crowd inside cheer so loudly.
As exciting as being part of a crowd is, there are always some garbage humans ready to ruin everyone's experience. The best way to avoid these people is to stick with a group when in the stadium. No one I know has ever faced harassment in stadiums, thankfully, but it does happen. If you ever find yourself in a situation like that, remember that there are always police officers patrolling the galleries, so do not hesitate to call for help if you are in danger.
Armed with this knowledge, I hope you have a great day at the stadium. And if you had some extra tickets, I sure wouldn't mind holding onto them for you. Just saying.