Asian guest workers bring cricket heat to Jordan playing field

IRBID — On the outskirts of the northern city of Irbid, Jordan University of Science and Technology’s stadium on Friday witnessed a game that is quite alien to the region: Cricket. 

The subcontinent’s favourite sport came to the aid of expatriate workers in their long innings away from home.

Hundreds of spectators, who are garment factory workers from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, cheered and fell silent occasionally as the ball hit the boundary line and wickets fell at regular intervals. Loudspeakers blared out live commentary in Hindi, Sinhalese and English peppered with cricket terminology. 

The sporting event was organised by Classic Fashion Apparel Industry in Irbid, a huge investment that is known for catering for the social needs of its army of workers, around 10,000, including many Jordanians.

Inspired by the Indian Premier League, according to garment employees, 13 teams within the company competed in the “Classic Premier League 2014”.

“Some times local residents ask us what this game is and we tell them this is cricket,” said Rasayya Karthikeshan, a Sri Lankan and captain of one of the teams in the tournament. 

The company workers have been playing cricket for the last seven years, but this year they decided to make it “more colourful with attractive gifts”, Karthikeshan said.

“I grew up playing cricket and I was the school team captain. Everyone here in the company is well-acquainted with the game, so we decided to create the league. And, of course, it’s an occasion to get together.”

The bat-and-ball game is played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players. The sport can be played in a traditional form called a Test match that lasts for five days, a one-day match that can be played for six to eight hours or a shortened version of the sport that can be completed in two to three hours. 

As the tournament was into its quarter-final, rain brought the game to a halt, but the downpour did not disrupt the mood. Singing Sinhalese ballads and Bollywood songs, a group of young men kept spirits high and others talked about the game. Cricket was the topic of the day.

“Now we have to discuss with other teams what’s the next move. Hopefully we can finish the remaining matches next Friday. When winter is in full swing, it’s difficult to play; we have to finish it before,” Girish Putherickal, who is from India, said.

For Anurdha Gamage, another Sri Lankan national, the last two weekends of the tournament were really “entertaining”. The rain-induced delay made her switch to other plans.

“I may go to the workers centre [Al Hassan Industrial Zone Workers’ Centre] and attend the English classes, or try Yoga, or take some dancing lessons. I am really enjoying my time. It’s the weekend.”

If the weather allows outdoor activities, she will be even more excited to cheer her favourite team next Friday, surrounded by compatriots and other friends who crossed thousands of miles seeking a better life.