Dunedin : They are a rare sight these days - Pakistan fans able to watch test cricket live.
Due to political unrest and security concerns, Pakistan is struggling to host test cricket.
Its series against the Black Caps has been transferred to New Zealand, and the side will travel to England next year to play a "home" test against Australia.
In an attack in March this year, Sri Lankan cricketers were fired upon in Lahore, leaving six cricketers injured and eight others dead.
The fall-out from that incident, and others before it, has meant cricketers from other nations are reluctant to travel to Pakistan to play cricket.
That loss is a bonus for Dunedin-based Pakistan fans Bushra Ahmed, Salim Ahmed and Salman Siddiqi, who will be waving Pakistani flags at the University Oval today.
Siddiqi (23), a finance student at the University of Otago, was born in Dunedin but lived for 15 years in Pakistan.
"Cricket is a bit of a religion for people in Pakistan. "It really brings everyone together.
"People just forget about all their differences and everyone gets behind the Pakistan team, and emotions run high," Siddiqi said.
"There are religious differences in Pakistan but when it comes to cricket, it is accepted.
"When you look at someone like Mohammad Yousuf - when he played as Yousuf Youhana, as a Christian, he was accepted."
As for who he would support today, Siddiqi joked he would have a Pakistan flag in one hand and a New Zealand one in the other.
Salim Ahmed was born in Pakistan and moved to Dunedin 11 years ago to further the education of his children.He would be cheering for Pakistan, saying it was a bonus getting the test in Dunedin, though he felt sorry for the Pakistan fans back home.
Due to political unrest and security concerns, Pakistan is struggling to host test cricket.
Its series against the Black Caps has been transferred to New Zealand, and the side will travel to England next year to play a "home" test against Australia.
In an attack in March this year, Sri Lankan cricketers were fired upon in Lahore, leaving six cricketers injured and eight others dead.
The fall-out from that incident, and others before it, has meant cricketers from other nations are reluctant to travel to Pakistan to play cricket.
That loss is a bonus for Dunedin-based Pakistan fans Bushra Ahmed, Salim Ahmed and Salman Siddiqi, who will be waving Pakistani flags at the University Oval today.
Siddiqi (23), a finance student at the University of Otago, was born in Dunedin but lived for 15 years in Pakistan.
"Cricket is a bit of a religion for people in Pakistan. "It really brings everyone together.
"People just forget about all their differences and everyone gets behind the Pakistan team, and emotions run high," Siddiqi said.
"There are religious differences in Pakistan but when it comes to cricket, it is accepted.
"When you look at someone like Mohammad Yousuf - when he played as Yousuf Youhana, as a Christian, he was accepted."
As for who he would support today, Siddiqi joked he would have a Pakistan flag in one hand and a New Zealand one in the other.
Salim Ahmed was born in Pakistan and moved to Dunedin 11 years ago to further the education of his children.He would be cheering for Pakistan, saying it was a bonus getting the test in Dunedin, though he felt sorry for the Pakistan fans back home.
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