AFP, New Delhi :
When Ramzan starts, Imran Tahir will begin juggling the demands of observing his Muslim faith and playing a full day of international cricket for a team sponsored by a beer company.
“I don’t think it is difficult to balance professional sports with practising your faith,” insisted the South Africa legspinner, in an interview with AFP.
“It is very easy if you follow the right path.”
One of the world’s top spinners, Pakistan-born Tahir has played more than 100 times for the Proteas since making his international debut in 2011, after becoming a South African citizen through marriage.
In his native Pakistan, the team regularly prays together on the field during internationals and the lunch break is extended on Fridays, so players and fans can attend the weekly services at the nearest mosque.
And in Bangladesh, the only other Muslim-majority Test-playing nation, facilities have been set aside to enable fans to pray at the ground.
Tahir is one of five Muslims to have been selected for the South African squad taking part in the tri-nation ODI series with the West Indies and Australia in the Caribbean that began on Friday and runs until June 26.
When Ramzan starts, Imran Tahir will begin juggling the demands of observing his Muslim faith and playing a full day of international cricket for a team sponsored by a beer company.
“I don’t think it is difficult to balance professional sports with practising your faith,” insisted the South Africa legspinner, in an interview with AFP.
“It is very easy if you follow the right path.”
One of the world’s top spinners, Pakistan-born Tahir has played more than 100 times for the Proteas since making his international debut in 2011, after becoming a South African citizen through marriage.
In his native Pakistan, the team regularly prays together on the field during internationals and the lunch break is extended on Fridays, so players and fans can attend the weekly services at the nearest mosque.
And in Bangladesh, the only other Muslim-majority Test-playing nation, facilities have been set aside to enable fans to pray at the ground.
Tahir is one of five Muslims to have been selected for the South African squad taking part in the tri-nation ODI series with the West Indies and Australia in the Caribbean that began on Friday and runs until June 26.
