Bars brim over as cricket fever rises

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">HYDERABAD: It is not just the sponsors and cricket lovers who are happy with the ongoing series between the two Asian cricketing giants India and Pakistan, small-time bars and restaurants in the city are also hopeful of cashing in on the mania.<br /><br />Many a fan is inclined to watch a cricket match while having his favourite drink at a bar.Those who can not afford to go to pubs and enjoy the game on a giant screen takes his time out at a bar which offers both cricket and liquor at an affordable rate.<br /><br />The mania caught up with the citizens during the last World Cup. Many pubs and bars had put up giant screens while liquor companies added punch to the extravaganza by offering special offers during matches.<br /><br />"Cricket matches do bring in good crowds. Our sales record more than 50 per cent increase. Every table of our bar gets occupied on a cricketing day," owner of a bar in Kacheguda said. "We do not offer any special packages on these days. The liquor companies only have to come with such offers," he added.<br /><br />If it is a day-and-night encounter, the rush at a bar more, he said.<br /><br />"All cricket matches involving India are a big hit bars. But an encounter with Pakistan is more exciting watch while having liquor," says Devraj, waiter at Gokul Bar and Restaurant.<br /><br />The tables at these bars invoke interesting analysis and comments on the teams performance.<br /><br />Everybody makes interesting comments hearing those comments, Devraj said. The first One Day International had indeed attracted good crowds, he said.<br /><br />Cricket and liquor is good blend, says Prasanth, an engineering student. It''s nice to enjoy amidst the huge crowd that gathers in bars, says B Pavansuthan Reddy, an employee of a private firm.<br /><br /><formid=526372></formid=526372></div> </div>