Twenty20: Faster Than You Think
David Hopps, writing in The Guardian, says that the Pakistani achievement in the Twenty20 final was really special, not least because, in the middle of Ramadan, the players had been fasting! [See below.]
“Pakistan’s achievement in reaching the final of World Twenty20 was all the more remarkable because it came in the middle of Ramadan. The Fast of Ramadan is the most blessed of Islamic religious observations and takes place in the ninth month of the lunar calendar, at which point Muslims fast during the hours of daylight. This year it ran from September 13 to October 12.
Pakistan’s players have observed it devoutly. Even though they were given official religious licence to eat and drink on match days, most Pakistani players did not allow themselves such liberties. While other teams followed the modern obsession with fluid replenishment, most Pakistan players performed without a drop passing their lips.
On non-match days, they still took part in strenuous gym sessions that have made them one of the fittest Pakistan sides for years. All this has taken place without the slightest complaint. And, more to the point, it has happened without the insistent religious demands of the former captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who would often drive his coach Bob Woolmer to despair by interrupting a coaching session at a vital point for prayers.”
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