"Cricket appears to be an unending or inconclusive game to the Germans, the majority of whom obviously don't fully understand it. But it means entirely differently to the people of Pakistan and India whom we find simply crazy about this sport."

This was observed by Heinz Dollberg, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific, Allianz Akitiengsellschaft, during a chat with this scribe in Karachi the other day.

Dollberg, who is based at the headquarters of the company in Munich, Germany, had come to Karachi to witness the proceedings of the third and final Test between Pakistan and India that ended on Wednesday, a day earlier than anticipated.

He had been invited to watch some cricket by the management of Allianz EFU Health Insurance Company as Allianz was the title sponsors of the just concluded three-Test series between the two neighbouring countries.

"We know what cricket means to the people here in Pakistan and across the border in India. That's why Allianz chose to enter the arena of cricket sponsorship with an Indo-Pak series," Dollberg said.

"Allianz has a strong and proud sports heritage, currently supporting famed events like the Formula One, the America's Cup and the Ryder Cup. The Indo-Pak cricket series is a welcome addition to it," he added.

"Like most of the Germans I am not familiar with the rules of the game so it doesn't make sense to go there to have some fun. Since one of our associated companies, Cornhill Insurance remained a long time sponsor of cricket in England I did have the opportunity of watching the sport there but I couldn't make it. To us, more accustomed to getting a result in 90 minutes, soccer remains the sport to watch. And we are already looking forward to the World Cup this summer," the German business executive revealed.

"Well the entire nation is passionate about this game. And I am no exception. Cricket is one sport whose popularity continues to grow in our part of the world," he reckoned.

"Allianz has had a long term association with sports over the years but it was for the first time when we had ventured into a cricket sponsorship deal. And I don't think there could have been a more appropriate event than an Indo-Pak series to start with," Mr Zoomkawala reckoned.

In addition to sponsoring the Test series, Allianz also created a new initiative, the Allianz Cup signature drive that was conceptualized with the intention of bringing together the well wishes of both the nations in a unified show of support for their respective teams.

Allianz has a presence in every continent, having companies and offices in about 70 countries. With the expertise of its international network, it provides first-class financial products and services all over the world.

This is cache, read story here