Night cricket star of the Pakistani streets during Ramadan
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00:00 After breaking the fast, streets in the old city of Lahore lit up.
00:05 Every night, in the holy month of Ramadan, this group of friends get together to play cricket,
00:11 the most famous sport in Pakistan.
00:13 Like many others, they play until dawn, stopping just before Sehr,
00:17 the meal consumed ahead of daytime fasting.
00:26 During the day, we sleep as we are fasting and we wake up late afternoon to break the fast.
00:31 Then in the night, all the friends and neighbours get together to play cricket.
00:37 It's very nice.
00:38 The auntie in the house behind said, "Don't play cricket, it is noisy."
00:45 We faced many difficulties. Our ball went to this house and they did not give it back.
00:49 Then another ball went to the house in the front, they also refused.
00:52 So every day we had to buy a new ball.
00:54 Some cricket enthusiasts even go one step ahead,
00:58 organising Ramadan tournaments with makeshift floodlights.
01:01 The sport has been modified.
01:04 A taped tennis ball replaces the hard and expensive cricket ball.
01:08 This evening, 170 players are competing.
01:12 The winner takes home a cash prize equivalent to 130 euros.
01:16 The event is even broadcasted live on social media.
01:19 The ball hit the target, the umpire crossed it, and another beautiful shot.
01:24 Another high ball, again a six.
01:27 During Ramadan, after work, I play cricket.
01:30 Most people play at night because either they have work or they are fasting.
01:34 And the trend of Ramadan cricket is growing
01:36 because even people who are busy during the day can play good quality competitive cricket.
01:41 Women are barred from playing on the streets.
01:45 Determined players have to find proper cricket grounds.
01:48 These young girls train with their coach on the sidelines of an immature cricket match.
01:53 Agna is 16 years old. She has been training for eight months.
01:57 In Pakistan it's very difficult to bring girls and play in the streets.
02:03 They don't agree.
02:04 Even if they agree, their family won't allow them to play in the streets.
02:07 From many other people's neighbours especially,
02:09 like why are you playing cricket at night, especially in Ramadan?
02:13 You know, girls have to do things in the kitchen and stuff.
02:16 They will taunt you for sure.
02:18 You know, society doesn't accept girls playing cricket in the streets.
02:21 So then we need a proper place to play.
02:24 Agna trains almost every night.
02:27 Her goal is to win a tournament reserved for girls that takes place at the end of the month.
02:32 [BLANK_AUDIO]