Patna: A sense of anticipation has gripped the city as it gears up for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and New Zealand on Sunday.Cricket enthusiasts across the capital were seen discussing match strategies at tea stalls, while the national tricolour has begun appearing on vehicles and store fronts. The buzz suggests the city is preparing to celebrate what many hope will be a historic moment.Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL) will set up a giant screen near gate no. 4 of Gandhi Maidan for public viewing of the match. The screen is expected to offer a stadium-like experience for cricket lovers. The screening will be free and open to the public.“The scale of this screening reflects the enthusiasm of fans. We want the entire city to feel the stadium atmosphere right here,” a PSCL official supervising the arrangements said.Hotels and restaurants across the city have also prepared special cricket-themed menus and designated screening zones for the match. “The demand for table bookings is higher than any previous weekend this year. We have introduced a series of platters named after the finalist teams to keep the excitement high,” a hotel manager said.Residents have been visiting sports retail hubs in areas such as Maurya Lok Complex and Boring Road to buy team jerseys and other merchandise. Shop owners said demand has surged since India secured their place in the final.“Stock is moving faster than we can replenish. Every fan wants a jersey for the final,” said Raj Kumar, a shopkeeper. Fans expressed confidence in the team’s chances, citing the momentum from the semi-final as a reason for the surge in enthusiasm across the city.
