Young English spinners Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the England cricket team.
They also thanked the Pakistan cricket team for inviting them to a memorable cultural and spiritual experience by participating in Friday prayers during the current Test series.
In a gesture of friendship and respect, the Pakistan squad welcomed the two England players of Pakistani descent to join their prayer gathering, creating a unique bond between the two teams beyond the cricket field.
In an interview with BBC Sports, Rehan Ahmed thanked his team for allowing them to practice in Friday prayer. He mentioned, “We performed the Friday prayer with the Pakistan team. We went to their hotel, and Rizwan led the prayer. A week earlier, we went to the mosque. The England team rescheduled a meeting by two hours to ensure we could pray and then return.”
“As young cricketers joining the team, this has never been questioned. It’s something we appreciate greatly. The players understand us; McCullum, Stokes, and the management have always prioritized our prayers and whatever needs to be done first, then cricket comes later. We couldn’t ask for more. We are forever grateful for this”, he added.
Shoaib Bashir said, “This is an excellent gesture by the England team. We are allowed to practice individually, which is important. This is what brings out the best in us and gives us confidence going into games. People’s perspectives have changed now. After these events, there has been a positive development. Let’s hope it continues.”
Currently, Rehan and Shoaib are representing England in the third Test match in Rawalpindi.
