KEY POINTS
- Farooq Nazar was asked to cover his Pakistan jersey or leave during an England-India Test match, he chose to leave
- The incident, captured on video, has gone viral and raised concerns about fan rights and inclusivity in cricket
ISLAMABAD: What began as a routine day of Test cricket at Old Trafford turned unexpectedly tense when Farooq Nazar, a Pakistani cricket fan, was removed from the stadium during the England vs India match — not for misconduct, but for refusing to cover his Pakistan team jersey.
The incident has since sparked a wider debate over personal expression, fan inclusivity, and whether the spirit of cricket truly extends beyond national rivalries and political lines.
In a video that has since gained traction on social media, Farooq is seen calmly engaging with stadium staff and a police official, who gave him two options: cover the shirt or leave the ground. He chose the latter.
“I had a valid ticket. I wasn’t disturbing anyone. No one in the crowd objected to what I was wearing,” said Farooq in a video statement.
“I’ve now filed complaints with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the local authorities.”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation across social media, raising questions about fan rights, expression, and inclusivity in cricket — a sport that often prides itself on transcending borders and bringing people together.
While tensions between India and Pakistan are no stranger to cricketing history, this was not an Indo-Pak match. It was a neutral fixture, and Farooq was simply there to enjoy the game.
That his choice of shirt became a point of contention has struck many as an unnecessary politicization of a personal gesture — one which cricket’s global spirit should, ideally, protect.
In stadiums around the world, fans wear jerseys of their favourite teams regardless of who’s playing — sometimes as a symbol of pride, sometimes simply as a show of love for the game.
