UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir admits it’s not ideal playing competitive games during Ramadan but has backed his players to come good.

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His team departed Dubai on Tuesday for their World Cricket League Championship double-header against Kenya on Thursday and Saturday, before they turn their focus to the important World Twenty20 qualifiers beginning on July 9 against Scotland.

They also face Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Canada, Kenya and Oman in Group B as they bid to become one of the top six sides in the qualifying tournament, which books them a ticket to India for next year’s showpiece between March 11 and April 3.

Besides the tough conditions and opponents, the UAE will be faced with another challenge given that Ramadan, which started on Thursday, June 18, falls during the tour.

Out of the 15-man party for the World Twenty20 qualifiers, 12 are Muslims and Tauqir hinted he may not fast on match days. 

“I know the timing of this tournament is not the best timing in terms of competing during Ramadan. “I wish this tournament was after Ramadan but this is not in our hands,” said Tauqir.

The off-spinner added: “I doubt on a match day that anyone would be fasting but it’s a decision that everyone will have to make individually. 

“The weather conditions will be good but the fasting timings in the UK will be quite long, so it depends on the individual and if they think they can, then why not?”

Coach Aaqib Javed echoed Tauqir’s views, saying: “It’s entirely the players choice and according to our Islamic tradition if they feel they have something important to do, they can postpone it after.

“Maybe on a non-match day, they can fast but it’s entirely their choice. I can’t interfere and tell someone not to fast.”

A Muslim himself, the 42-year-old former Pakistan seamer knows all too well what it feels like to play during Ramadan.

“It’s really hard when you’re fasting and to play at that level and definitely you need energy in your body to compete,” he said.

“It’s very difficult to play a game when you’re fasting. However, they will decide on the day whatever suits them. I will not force them.” 

And Javed, whose side is bidding to reach their second straight World Twenty20, having qualified in 2014, insists they will not request to move the timings of their training sessions.

“We are in a tournament which is organised and managed by the ICC and we have to follow the schedule as to when to practice and play our games, given by them,” he said.

“It’s not only us who are competing, there are other countries as well and they have to schedule other teams and consider other things. To be honest I don’t think this will be much of an issue for us.”