Iconic cricket match brings together religions and counties
An interfaith cross-county cricket match, which saw clergy from the Muslim and Catholic religions unite for a game at the wicket, resulted in a Yorkshire victory last weekend yet it was the community who were the true winners.
Organised by the Kumon Y’all youth group in Dewsbury, two mixed teams of Imams and Vicars – representing Lancashire and Yorkshire – faced off in the first match of its kind at the Mirfield Monastery.
After a long day of cricket, it was Yorkshire who eventually lifted the trophy with a six-run victory, with crowds applauding all who took part on the day.
Farook Yunus, who runs the Kumon Y’all group, spearheaded the project.
Having previously staged interfaith football and cricket matches in the past, he said this was the biggest game of its type to date and was delighted with its success.
“This event has been organised to show the wider communities of Lancashire and Yorkshire that even though we may look different or have different faiths, we have much more in common,” he said.
“Everyone really enjoyed themselves on the day.”
Despite their defeat, representatives from the Lancashire side remained in a buoyant mood following the final delivery of the day.
Bishop David of Manchester said: “We have had fun together and having fun together is more important than anything else.”
Molana Hanif, from Blackburn, added: “All faiths have one message and this is the message of peace.”
