A Pakistani cricket fan was asked to cover his national team’s shirt during the India vs England Test match at Old Trafford, Manchester, sparking widespread criticism and concerns about growing politics in cricket stadiums.

 

Farooq Nazar recorded the entire interaction and later posted it online, showing him being approached by ground staff who insisted he cover up his green Pakistan shirt with a jacket. Farooq, who had purchased a ticket for the match, was visibly shocked and questioned the reasoning behind asking him to hide his shirt. 

 

Farooq can be seen enjoying the pre-match atmosphere in the video, saying, “I am at the Old Trafford Ground, this is the kit of Pakistan, and today there is a match between England and India. It is a lot of fun. Inside the crowd just I am Pakistani.”

 

 

Soon after, a man from the ground staff approaches and says, “You need to cover this Pakistani shirt.” When Farooq asks who he is, the man replies, “I work for Lancashire, Prem Singh. I’ve been asked by control by Lancashire.”

 

Farooq, not backing down, asks for a written request saying, "I need your request or your order in written form before I comply.” The staff member responds, “Yeah. Okay. If you want, you can email the club.”

 

Another staff member then intervenes, saying, “We’ve asked you to put your coat on.” Farooq refuses firmly, saying, “No, this is my proud country. Why are you covering this? Everybody is representing their country.”

 

He then adds, “Do you need to talk outside?” The staff member insists again, but Farooq holds his ground saying, “Take me with force if you can. Everybody will record this. Every media will record this. They are taking me out without any reason, without any harm I’ve given to anyone.”

 

As the situation escalates, a female police officer steps in to calm things down. Farooq tells her, “I have paid the ticket. No Indian crowd has complained about me. I’m just watching the cricket match. I represent my country.”

 

The officer then suggests, “Can we have a conversation outside of this crowd in a quieter area?” When Farooq replies, “The match is starting in 10 minutes." she replies, "So we’ve got 10 minutes to have a chat.”

 

Eventually, Farooq decides to leave the stadium by choice rather than cover his shirt, saying, “They continuously asked me to cover my shirt with a jacket, but I decided not to cover and leave the ground. Even now I am wearing a Pakistani Shirt.”

The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users criticizing the stadium authorities and what they view as political interference in sport.

 

“Unfortunately, cricket is no longer a sport. It’s now a game of politics,” wrote one user. “A few months back in the Champions Trophy in Lahore, Pakistani fans wore Kohli shirts without any restrictions.”

 

Another said, “It looks like Lancashire Cricket Board is run by the Indian cricket board.”

 

Many pointed out inconsistencies: “If Pakistan is a participating team in the competition, why can’t its fans wear their team’s T-shirt?”

 

Others noted that Indian fans were clearly visible wearing their own team’s shirts in the same crowd. “There is a guy in the background wearing an Indian T-shirt,” one viewer pointed out. 

 

“I’ve seen many Pakistan matches vs England in England with fans of other countries wearing their own team shirts. No one ever complained. What’s changed now,” asked another.

 

There are no official rules or regulations by the International Cricket Council (ICC) or by individual stadiums that ban spectators from wearing the shirt of another country, especially when that country is not playing. 

 

As of now, the Old Trafford stadium or Lancashire Cricket has not issued any explanation regarding the incident.