English cricket in the time of Ramadan

TAWHID QURESHI: A renewed emphasis on inclusivity within English cricket and the spiritual benefits gained by Muslim cricketers during Ramadan demonstrate how the challenges of fasting can be overcome and turned into a positive attribute

Cricket is unique for many reasons, not least because of the game's close association with food and drink. Is there another sport that is entirely based around mealtimes?

Few sports encourage spectators to spend the duration of a game eating and drinking quite like cricket. Lunch, tea and the drinks break are still observed with stringency in first-class cricket, despite the constant tinkering with the laws of the game.

Combine this with the importance that modern athletes place on a meticulously planned diet and you would think that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, where followers of the Muslim faith are encouraged to fast from sunrise to sunset, is fundamentally at odds with cricket. However, a renewed emphasis on inclusivity within English cricket and the spiritual benefits gained by Muslim cricketers during Ramadan, demonstrates how the challenges of fasting can be overcome and turned into a positive attribute.

It's a view that's endorsed by England and Nottinghamshire opener Haseeb Hameed: "The spiritual element far outweighs the physical challenge. I feel like I've had my absolute best performances during the month of Ramadan. Last year I faced over 600 balls against Worcestershire which obviously required a lot of mental fortitude."

Hameed's Muslim faith is intrinsic to the way he approaches cricket, it's helped him cope with the multiple highs and lows during a relatively short professional cricket career. "I treat my cricket very seriously, but my faith is so important. Through difficult times it's been a massive part (of my life). If I've been able to come out of difficult situations, it's only because of my religion. The characteristic of never giving up is a big part of my religion."

The idea of using faith as a means of supporting and enhancing performance, has also been explored by international teams and their coaches. Arfan Akram is involved in cricket administration at local and international level, he's been the ECB liaison officer for every Pakistan tour to England since 2019, each of which has overlapped with Ramadan. Having watched at close quarters, he explains how Mickey Arthur and Misbah-Ul-Haq understood the advantage of a team bonded by religion.

^{Haseeb Hameed reckons some of his finest performances have come during Ramadan (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)}

"Professional athletes are driven, but when you buy into their faith you have another powerful tool to empower them more. No (Pakistan) player would say: 'I cannot do this because I'm fasting,' they go to that deep inner place, which is based on faith and they say: 'I want to perform.' It's very powerful, you would normally have to pay psychologists a lot of money to get to that space."

Despite the spiritual wellbeing derived from Ramadan, preparing for a month of fasting is essential to compete at the highest level. The preparation itself involves fasting so that bodies become used to the abstinence of food and water. Developing flexible training routines and adjusting nutritional intake are also key. Hameed describes how "there's a six-hour period (after breaking the fast) where I try and fit in two meals, I treat them as dinner and breakfast. I also make sure I'm drinking a lot and hydrating."

Akram asserts how planning for Ramadan would be a focal point, when Pakistan have organised tours to England in the past few years. "Mickey Arthur would prepare months in advance, working very closely with the nutritionists, physios and doctors. Ideally training sessions would take place in the afternoon to help with sleep and recovery. The diet would be based on porridge and eggs for Sehri (pre-fast meal), to avoid stomach cramps at Iftar (post-fast meal) players would eat slowly, focusing on nutritious protein-based food and most importantly replacing lost water."

As well as sound planning and preparation, the acceptance of the significance of Ramadan by cricket authorities has helped to support those who fast. A welcome consequence of the Yorkshire racism scandal has been a greater willingness in English cricket to embrace inclusivity. The recent iftar organised by the ECB at the Long Room in the Lord's pavilion, was a high-profile example of connecting with a community that has previously felt marginalised by the game.

Aatif Nawaz, the comedian and Test Match Special commentator, hosted the event at Lord's and believes that genuine strides are being made. "The ECB is doing more now than ever before. Obviously with great players like Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid having represented England for so long, many have learnt about Ramadan and fasting through their journeys.

^{Mickey Arthur (centre) coached Pakistan on tours of England that ran through the middle of Ramadan (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

"I know for a fact some of their teammates who aren't Muslim have fasted with them in solidarity on occasion as well. I think as long as there's an understanding of what they're doing and how to support them, that's all that's needed. No preferential or special treatment. Just a little more understanding. I feel like we're getting there."

Hameed also hints at the progress that has been made: "I feel supported by the people around me at Notts who understand the importance of Ramadan. I've been lucky enough to play professional cricket for six or seven years and things are definitely moving in the right direction. At recent away games at Sussex and Durham they provided prayer room facilities and made sure I was comfortable with the food. The willingness to make positive changes is great to see."

Changes have also begun to permeate club cricket. Previously clubs with mostly Muslim players have struggled during Ramadan, unable to raise full teams and forfeiting games as a result. But a new flexible approach is being encouraged in many leagues, including those in Essex.

Arfan Akram also works for the Essex cricket board as East London cricket operations manager, he outlined the new approach. "The Hamro Foundation Essex League (an ECB Premier League) encourages communication between clubs and being respectful of different faiths. Other leagues in East London either don't have fixtures during Ramadan or they run T20 tournaments."

In conversation with Hameed, the likelihood of Eid (the celebration marking the end of the month) coinciding with a County Championship match was mentioned. Hameed continually cites the importance of "family and faith", so playing cricket for Nottinghamshire against Worcestershire rather than celebrating the holiest day of the year with loved ones, would clearly create a conflict.

It's a dilemma he considers with a knowing smile: "I actually scored my highest first-class score at Trent Bridge in 2016, playing for Lancashire on Eid." In the event, a three-day victory for Notts, meant travelling back to Bolton in plenty of time for the Eid celebrations.

There's an enduring close association between Muslim communities and cricket, which is finally being recognised and nurtured. As the month of Ramadan draws to a close, it would be entirely fitting for the many Muslim cricketers throughout the UK, to experience a special celebration on and off the field.