Legislators from around the cricketing world gathered in London on Tuesday to play a few overs and leave their political troubles behind - but for some, the hope of a break from the stresses of their day jobs proved elusive.
Published : 10 Jul 2019, 01:19 AM
At least two of the eight teams in the first Inter Parliamentary Cricket World Cup found politics following them to the competition in London.
The Bangladeshi team bat first against the Lords and Commons and reach 25 off their six overs... will that be enough?! #IPCWC pic.twitter.com/EffEmTENQp
— IPCWC (@IPCWC) July 9, 2019
The English team - perhaps inevitably - had to work its timetable around Brexit votes and debates, while Pakistan's players were scolded on social media for travelling abroad to play cricket during a period of austerity.
"I just love cricket - it’s a game that brings so many different people together," said Chris Heaton-Harris, a British Member of Parliament (MP) who organised the tournament.
The four-day tournament began with lawmakers from England, Australia, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan taking to the field.
"It’s really difficult here because when you captain the national team everyone knows the fielding positions, batting orders and position names," he told Reuters.
"Here ... it's not so easy."
Taking a break from the World Cup proper to support their politicians, body-painted Bangladeshi fans made lots of noise and waved their national flags.
As for who will lift the trophy, Heaton-Harris said Pakistan have been in training camps for quite some time with their national coach and he fancied their chances.
Every day the players will travel to different cricket clubs around London, with the final taking place at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham on Friday.