England cricket internationals Adil Rashid and Saqib Mahmood come together to discuss the part their religion has played in their careers.
The pair speak about the inclusive atmosphere in the current England setup and how it helps to ensure that players of all faiths feel welcome.
The pair are brought together by Royal London who today released the third episode of The Changing Room, a three-part video series, in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The pair discuss the importance of the ECB and their teammates taking steps to cater to a range of faiths – from the introduction of multi-faith prayer rooms at grounds to ensuring informal team events accommodate different dietary requirements. Rashid also talks about how he recently travelled for Hajj, and the changes he has seen in the game since his England debut in 2009.
The Changing Room series has been created to provide a platform for the conversations that matter, addressing a range of topics in the modern game. Royal London has invited people from all walks of cricket to the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground to speak about their personal experiences of the game and the challenges they have faced in it. Each episode addresses a different issue, with current and former England players discussing important topics like racial discrimination, women’s equality, and faith.
Adil Rashid comments on his Hajj: “I’d wanted to go on my Hajj for the last couple of years but, because of cricket, it’d always been a bit tricky. This year I spoke to the ECB and my county, Yorkshire, and they said: ‘a hundred per cent, go – do what you need to do and then come back into cricket.’ So, for me it was easy to make that decision, whereas in the past it was maybe a bit more tricky.”
Saqib Mahmood comments: “The [current England] group is one hundred per cent the best I’ve been a part of. When you walk into a dressing room where you can be yourself, you grow as a person as well [as a player].”
Susie Logan, group chief marketing officer at Royal London said: “The Changing Room is giving people a voice and a platform to share their stories from across the breadth of cricket. We’re proud to work in partnership with the ECB to highlight these topics and the positive change taking place to make cricket a more inclusive sport.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board’s Inspiring Generations Strategy aims to open cricket’s doors to embrace a more modern and diverse society. To do this, the ECB has invested in a range of initiatives to support coaches from underrepresented groups, identify players outside of traditional environments, partner with faith institutions and mosques, and ensure that cricket venues cater for all faiths and cultures.
Chief Diversity and Communications Officer at the ECB, Kate Miller, said: “The ECB is proud that the England dressing room is an environment where people can engage with, and talk about their faith. The importance of Adil’s Hajj is clear to see and it is encouraging to hear Saqib’s personal reflections on how inclusive the England team culture is. These positive inclusive experiences need to become the norm across cricket. Through our Inspiring Generations strategy and work with partners like Royal London, we will continue with the collective efforts we are making in raising the game.”
