Off-field drinks for England in Pakistan

Pakistani and English players will have to take drinks breaks in their dressing rooms during two Test matches on England's forthcoming cricket tour because they fall during Ramadan, an official said.

"Due to the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan teams will have to take off-field drinks during the second and third Tests," a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said.

Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. Eating or drinking in the open is prohibited.

But those Pakistani players who are not fasting will be able to eat and drink behind the closed doors of their dressing room, the official added.

"We have informed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) well in advance as the codes will have to be followed," he said. It will be the first time in international cricket that drinks will be taken off the field.

England are due to arrive in Pakistan on October 16 to play three Tests and three one day internationals in their first tour of Pakistan for 13 years.

Englands last tour in 1987-88 was marred by the the infamous confrontation between Mike Gatting and umpire Shakoor Rana.

Gatting, then captain of England, had a blazing row with Rana and a day's play was lost as the umpire sought an apology. Gatting later apologised for his behaviour.

The PCB plans to hold all the one-dayers under floodlights. Light towers have been erected in Rawalpindi and Karachi while Lahore's Gaddafi stadium already has such facilities.

"We are taking weekly report on the progress of work and do all the best arrangements for England," PCB's Director of Operations Yawar Saeed said.

Mail Cricket Editor