'Sometimes, we cook on our own, sometimes, we go out' - Afghanistan players on assuming chef duties due to unavailability of halal meat

Diet plays a crucial role in the life of any cricketer as it serves as a fundamental source of fuel for the human body. However, if not provided with the appropriate quantity and precise dietary needs tailored to the eating habits of a specific demographic, it could pose challenges similar to those encountered by the Afghan team, for whom it presented a significant hurdle to overcome.

Due to the unavailability of halal meat (an essential dietary requirement), at their Bridgetown hotel in Barbados where the Afghans had arrived for their Super Eights match against India, the team was compelled to temporarily don chef's aprons. It was noted that on other occasions, the team had to venture out to procure and consume halal meat.

Their predicament was contrasted with the abundant hospitality and diverse culinary offerings showcased by the hosts of the 50-over World Cup, India, in 2023. It was also noted that while Halal meat is accessible in the Caribbean, its availability on the menus of all hotels and restaurants wasn't guaranteed and that on one of the occurrences, a friend of a player had to arrange the meat which the players ended up preparing themselves.

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“Halal meat is not available in our hotel. Sometimes, we cook on our own or sometimes, we go out. In the last World Cup in India, everything was perfect. Halal beef is an issue here. We had it in St. Lucia, but it's not there at all venues. A friend arranged it for us and we cooked on our own,” stated a player from the Afghani team, as quoted by News18. 

Logistical challenges faced by the Afghan side during Super Eights

Another member of the Afghan squad expressed concerns about the substantial uncertainty surrounding scheduling and their practice sessions, citing frequent instances of last-minute notifications regarding flight timings and related arrangements. However, the individual acknowledged the challenging connectivity issues in the Caribbean, while also appreciating the organizers' efforts to optimize the experience for all stakeholders involved.

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“There's uncertainty over flights and training schedule. We are often informed about it at the last minute. We understand that the organizers are doing their best considering logistical challenges, which are bigger in the Caribbean than anywhere else,” mentioned the Afghan player.