Browse Sections

• Food and drink
• Personal finance
• Health and beauty 
  • Health and beauty features
  • Style
  • Street style
  • Columnists
• Dating
• Holidays
• Hotels

Pakistan team’s food for thought

28/ 7/2003

Assalamu alaykum readers.

I was recently lucky enough to meet the Pakistani cricket team and took the opportunity to find out about the daily health needs of the players.

I spoke to two perfect gentlemen - the team coach Javaid Miandad and team captain Rashid Latiff who were both a pleasure to interview.
Javaid was the greatest test run-scorer and scrapper Pakistan has produced. He is the only cricketer to play in the first six world cups, starting as a leg spinning all rounder in 1975 when he had just turned 18.
Rashid is Pakistan's new captain and is relishing the challenge.
He assumed the great responsibility after Pakistan's dismal performance in the 2003 world cup.
When I asked him about taking on such a task he said: "If you look at my career, I have been through crisis situations many times and each time, by grace of God, have come on top."
Though this discussion about their careers, hopes and fears was fascinating, I wanted to gain some insight into their heal and diet regime.
Below is the result of my question and answer session with the two men.

What is your view on health?

Miandad: "I am now 46 years old and I have been playing since I was 18. I take my health very seriously and exercise has obviously become a habit now.
I run daily from anything between 1-2 hours a day but now that I am a little older, obviously there is a limit to what types of exercise I am able to do but I keep going and doing the best I can."

What kind of diet do you stick to before a match?
Latiff: "Two weeks before a match I cut out the fat in my diet and that of the team. This helps us to perform better, although as a team we are conscious of what we eat anyway, the better the shape the team is in, the better the chances of success."

Do you think men take their health seriously?

Miandad; "I think back to the day when heath was not an issue for our ancestors, as everything was available fresh and additives were not common as they are now.
Today most foods especially in the West are prepared pre-packed and pre-frozen. It is convenient and not much fuss but in a sense your health does suffer.
I would like the nation to think of their team as role models who do look after their health and take it seriously.

Is there anything you would like to say to today's youth?

Latiff: "Always believe in yourself and aim high in life, be prepared to work hard today to reap the fruits of tomorrow."