Religious beliefs have always played an influential role in human beings perception and cricketers are no different. It is not rare for us to see cricketers on the field looking up and praying after completing their century, bowing to the ground, making a holy cross, etc.
This practice is not limited to any particular player or religion, almost every player can be seen doing such religious acts on the field for his ideologies, because their belief is so strong and they have been doing so, since a long time, as an act of gratitude and kindness to their respective gods or idols.
Sometimes, just like us, cricketers also tend to change their religion because of their interests. we try to look at who are those 5 cricketers who took a bold step and decided to change their religion.
5 Cricketers Who Changed Their Religion
5. Mahmudul Hasan
Bangladesh cricketer Mahmudul Hasan is the first name on this list of cricketers who shaped their religion. The 28-year-old has played loads of matches in first-class cricket. Hasan was part of the U-19 ICC world cup squad of Bangladesh and even the led the side in 2009 against Sri Lanka, England and Zimbabwe.
Later on, Hasan decided to transform from Muslim to Hindu religion and changed his name from Mahmudul Hasan to Vikash Ranjan Das. Interestingly once he seized the Hindu religion he was never picked in the Bangaladesh team again and has so far only played one Test match.
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4. Wayne Parnell
The all-rounder from South Africa Wayne Parnell converted to Islam on July 30, 2011. It is believed that Hashim Amla who was one of the closest friends of Parnell in the South African team pulled him towards Islam.
When this news became a talking point the team manager Mohammad Moosajee affirmed that nor Amla or any other Muslim in the South Africa side influenced Parnell to change his religion from Christian to Muslim.
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3. Suraj Randiv
In the previous decade, Sura Randiv was an active member of the Sri Lankan limited-overs squad. Many Indian fans remember him for bowling a no-ball when Virender Sehwag was left stranded at 99 not out.
Nevertheless, Randiv too is a cricketer that altered his religion. Originally his name was Mohammed Marsuk Suraj but due to some undisclosed reasons, he became Suraj Randiv and adopted Buddhism.
2. Mohammad Yusuf
The entire cricketing world must be aware of Pakistan batsman Yousuf Youhana turning to Mohammad Yusuf. The former batsman was regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world during the 2000s.
In 2005- 2006 Yousuf shocked everyone and espoused Islam. He was then spotted with a long beard and transformed from Christianity to Muslim. Later on, the former cricketer had revealed that he had taken the step after visiting preaching sessions from a leading religious group in Pakistan.
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1. Tillakaratne Dilshan
Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan was an outstanding performance for his country throughout his career. Dilshan was born to a Muslim father and his mother was a Buddhist. Initially, his full name was Tuwan Mohammed Dilshan but he chose to change to Buddhism after his international cricket debut in 1999.
He changed his name to Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan with an ethnic Sinhalese-Buddhist individuality. During his career, he was involved in one infamous incident with Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shahzad who on-field told Dilshan that if he becomes Muslim again he will go to heaven.
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