The Joy of Cricket in Ramadan

August 31, 2010 · Filed under Globe Girl, Ramadan

As we began brainstorming, the biggest challenge was finding a baseball field that would be well-lit with flood lights late into the night. But our late night drives in bohemian hopes of ‘just happening upon’ such a spot soon became epicurean escapades! Since we couldn’t really find a suitable place we began indulging our pretended sorrows in well-deserved (or so we thought) breaks at Taco Bell, White Castle, and Dunkin’ Donuts …
‘The Spot’ was ultimately our driveway that was lit up by an interesting assortment of lights; some purchased at Home Depot and the rest borrowed from a friend, who hails from a cricket crazed family with its own cricket pitch in the backyard! My husband’s mom has a tradition of hosting a scrumptious family iftari that brings the entire tribe together for fasting and feasting. Ridiculously overjoyed at this happenstance, the date for the night match was easily set! Soon after the Iftari ended and Maghrib prayers were offered, the men disappeared to set up stage. I haven’t seen that much excitement even amongst women on the night before Eid! Even the fact that it was drizzling did not weaken their resolve to play.
The best part of the match was that as it started late, all the fasting players trickling in after late hours at work could join in. And the piece de resistance of the evening? Precious little cousin Adiya being taught to keep score by my husband’s sister, and my little nephew as the perfect prop playing cricket with tennis rackets and balls, so as not to be left behind…
Since the game was not too regimented, the spirit of camaraderie prevailed over competitiveness, which was in keeping with the spirit of the Holy Month. And as the game slowly ended and the sporadic “oohs,” “aahs,” and yells of “howzzat!” subsided the troops marched in for thirds and fourths of the remaining iftari…and then headed to their prayer rugs for some late night ibadah!
Things to Get for a Night Match:
1. Flood lights
2. Cricket bats, ample tennis balls, and tape from home depot to cover the tennis balls.
3. Mosquito repellent, especially for the kids
4. Remind the playing guests to bring a change of sporty clothes
5. Band aids and burn ointment for cuts, bruises, and burns from the hot lights!

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As we began brainstorming, the biggest challenge was finding a baseball field that would be well-lit with flood lights late into the night. But our late night drives in bohemian hopes of ‘just happening upon’ such a spot soon became epicurean escapades! Since we couldn’t really find a suitable place we began indulging our pretended sorrows in well-deserved (or so we thought) breaks at Taco Bell, White Castle, and Dunkin’ Donuts …

cricket

‘The Spot’ was ultimately our driveway that was lit up by an interesting assortment of lights; some purchased at Home Depot and the rest borrowed from a friend, who hails from a cricket crazed family with its own cricket pitch in the backyard! My husband’s mom has a tradition of hosting a scrumptious family iftari that brings the entire tribe together for fasting and feasting. Ridiculously overjoyed at this happenstance, the date for the night match was easily set! Soon after the Iftari ended and Maghrib prayers were offered, the men disappeared to set up stage. I haven’t seen that much excitement even amongst women on the night before Eid! Even the fact that it was drizzling did not weaken their resolve to play.

The best part of the match was that as it started late, all the fasting players trickling in after late hours at work or Tarawih could join in. And the piece de resistance of the evening? Precious little cousin Adiya being taught to keep score by my husband’s sister, and my little nephew as the perfect prop playing cricket with tennis rackets and balls, so as not to be left behind…

Since the game was not too regimented, the spirit of camaraderie prevailed over competitiveness, which was in keeping with the spirit of the Holy Month. And as the game slowly ended and the sporadic “oohs,” “aahs,” and yells of “howzzat!” subsided the troops marched in for thirds and fourths of the remaining iftari…and then headed to their prayer rugs for some late night ibadah!

Things to Get for a Night Match:

1. Flood lights

2. Cricket bats, ample tennis balls, and tape from home depot to cover the tennis balls.

3. Mosquito repellent, especially for the kids

4. Remind the playing guests to bring a change of sporty clothes

5. Band aids and burn ointment for cuts, bruises, and burns from the hot lights!

night cricket

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