Patna, Feb. 25: When examinations and cricket clash, the sport usually wins. The students of Patna University are learning this the hard way.

As the first few matches of the ICC World Cup have fanned the cricket fever in Patna, students claim their study schedule for annual examinations — that are knocking on the door — have gone for a toss.

Amit Paswan, a final year postgraduate student of BN College, said he had planned to revise the entire syllabus for his examinations — set to start on March 25 — over the next few weeks.

“But my father and brothers — both cricket fans — discuss cricket and the world cup matches all the time. I can’t help but join in. Naturally my revision has not been very smooth,” said Amit.

There is some consolation for him: many young cricket lovers are in the same boat as he. With India taking on England this Saturday, examinees are expected to remain glued to their TV screens, following the fortunes of the cricketing gods, rather than concentrate on their books.

This is of course not the best prescription for those who have to take the exam.

According to the schedule published by Patna University, the final examinations for third year students of BA, BSc and BCom start on March 25. The second year students of MA, MCom and MSc also have a tryst with destiny on that day, as do the MBA final year students.

Incidentally, the third quarterfinal of the Cup will be played out at Mirpur in Bangladesh on that day.

But it is not all play and no work for the students, many of whom are worried because their syllabus has either remained incomplete or has been completed in a hurry because of a number of reasons.

“Our classes began two months late because of the agitation of the non-teaching employees. Then, classes were also suspended because of protests of various students’ bodies and the Assembly elections,” said Vinay Gupta, another student of BN College.

Most of the students are staying put at home — not only to catch the match but also for the final net practice before their examinations. As a result, the varsity campus bears a deserted look these days.

K.K. Maltiyar, a geography teacher at BN College, said: “The syllabus has been completed in most subjects and students are busy with their preparations. Extra classes are also being taken to make up for the lost time.”

Another teacher said the students should take the exam as the final match of the Cup.

“If you lose a cricket match, you can always play another. But if you fail, you will lose a whole year,” he said.

Best of luck!