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Keeping it halal: England's Muslim players dodge champagne during Cricket World Cup celebrations
Two star Muslim players ran for cover to avoid champagne spray during England’s cricket World Cup celebrations on Sunday, catching the attention of global cricket fans.
After more than nine stomach-churning hours, the first Super Over in Cricket World Cup history, and one of the most extraordinary overs ever played, England ended its agonising 44-year wait to be world champion of the sport it invented by beating New Zealand.
After watching captain Eoin Morgan lift the coveted trophy, player Jonny Bairstow sprayed a bottle of champagne over his team-mates – but not before Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid had rushed away.
The two star players, both devout Muslims, appeared to have anticipated the customary celebration of champagne spraying, positioning themselves on the edge of the group to avoid being doused in alcohol.
The video of the duo went viral on social media, with fans celebrating the England heroes.
England's cricket team captain Morgan hailed the diversity of the team following the game, sharing an exchange between himself and Rashid when asked if his team enjoyed the famed luck of the Irish.
"I spoke to Adil, he said Allah was definitely with us," Morgan said. "It actually epitomises our team, quite diverse backgrounds and cultures."
The team has been praised for the diverse makeup of its squad.
Muslim players Rashid and Ali come from Pakistani background, while batsman Ben Stokes is originally from New Zealand, bowler Jofra Archer is of Barbadian heritage and Jason Roy hails from South Africa.