T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan cricket team cooks their own meals in Barbados - Here's why
T20 World Cup 2024: The Afghan cricket team faced a unique challenge during their stay in Bridgetown for the T20 World Cup Super Eights match against India. The absence of halal meat in their hotel compelled the players to don chef's aprons and cook their meals. Despite halal meat being available in the Caribbean, not all hotels and restaurants include it on their menu.
¡°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 is not there at all venues. A friend arranged it for us and we cooked on our own,¡± a player told PTI.
India triumphed over Afghanistan by 47 runs at the Kensington Oval on Thursday, marking a strong start to the Super 8 stage.
The Super 8s schedule is gruelling, with teams playing three games in different countries with just one day for travel, creating logistical challenges in the Caribbean due to limited air connectivity.
Another member of the Afghanistan team noted that the demanding schedule has affected their preparations. ¡°There is uncertainty over flights and training schedule. We are often informed about it at the last minute. We understand that the organisers are doing their best considering logistical challenges, which are bigger in the Caribbean than anywhere else,¡± he said.
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Afghanistan is set to face Australia next in St Vincent on Saturday.?Meanwhile, Indian fans have continued to show their support in the Caribbean. Despite the Kensington Oval being half-empty for the India-Afghanistan match, the majority of the spectators were dressed in blue jerseys.
The Caribbean's proximity to the USA and Canada has made it easier for expat Indians to attend the matches. Fans from the UK have also crossed the Atlantic to support their team.
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¡°I have come here from Toronto. There was no direct connectivity so I went to Miami and then came to Barbados. I have tickets for all India games, I just want one for the final here,¡± said Paresh.
Local Caribbean residents are also caught up in the excitement, with everyone from taxi drivers to hotel managers backing the West Indies to win a record third title.
(With inputs from PTI)
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