For a bunch of mates in Western Sydney from Pakistan backgrounds, there are two important staples of life in addition to religion.
They are simple but nonetheless important - cricket and food.
They often get together to play cricket and, after a spell in the nets, enjoy nothing more than a sit down meal to swap stories and memories of their first sporting love.
With Pakistan facing up to its bitter rival India in the opening World Cup match on Sunday in Adelaide, tension is already running high.
Ali Abid told SBS the match couldn’t be more important.
“That game will be the final before the final and I can’t wait for it,” he said.
India’s supporters are renowned for their fervour, but they’ve got competition in their close neighbours, Faisal Shamsi said.
“When we’re born we start playing cricket,” he said.
“After everything you achieve in your life its everything.”
Although the rivalry with India is intense, Mr Shamsi said it's more about the cricket than anything else.
He’s hosting a World Cup party at his home on Sunday with Indian friends also invited to share the occasion.
“We share the same culture and language,” he said.
“They’re going to cheer for India, We’re going to cheer for Pakistan.
“We’re all friends except for the cricket part and we say we want to win!”
The last time the tournament was staged in Australia and New Zealand, Pakistan took the trophy home.
Some of the more recent arrivals from Pakistan, including Muhammad Asif, were home when the country exploded in joy.
“I remember it took the team seven hours to get from the airport to the hotel because everyone was there at the airport to celebrate with their heroes,” he said.
Pakistan has spent many years on the fringes of world cricket due to the ongoing security issues in the country, forced to play home matches in the Middle East for the past few years.
But despite those hurdles, the natural ability of Pakistan players always makes them dangerous and unpredictable opponents.
If luck goes their way, don’t be too surprised if Australia’s Pakistani community is in celebration mode come the latter stages of the tournament.
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