Speaking to PakPassion.net; team manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed that Eid prayers were offered by the whole touring party at a local Islamic community centre in Bulawayo.

by Saj Sadiq (1st September 2011) 

The Pakistan cricket team ahead of the test match in Bulawayo offered Eid prayers on Wednesday in a local Islamic community centre.

Speaking to PakPassion.net; team manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed that Eid prayers were offered by the whole touring party at a local Islamic community centre in Bulawayo.

Cheema also added "The local Islamic community of a few hundred people have made the boys feel very welcome and organised some Eid festivities for all of us, which was a nice touch."

Cheema who has replaced Intikhab Alam as team manager continued, "All of the boys are raring to go and are looking forward to the series starting with the test match on Thursday." 

Cheema also stated that the effects of fasting may have affected the performance in the warm up match at Bulawayo when Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 222 on the first day of the 2 day warm up match.

"All of the boys were fasting and we hadn't been long in the country but I don't want to offer excuses. However it was a useful warmup match and will serve us well ahead of the test match."

Cheema added, "there are no fitness concerns ahead of the test match, we have a fully fit squad to choose from and are ready for what promises to be a good series."

Pakistan play 1 test, 2 one day internationals and 2 twenty20 matches in a tour that lasts just over 3 weeks.