The security staff at Old Trafford was seen asking a fan, reportedly named Farooq Nazar, to cover his jersey by “putting a coat on” during the fourth Test match between England and India. Nazar, who was wearing a copy of the Pakistan team’s limited-overs jersey, was able to tape the encounter between him and the security staff, who identified himself as an employee of the Lancashire County Cricket Club. Old Trafford is the home ground of the club, and it played host to the penultimate Test of the series.
“I’ve been asked by control [Lancashire] if you can cover that shirt up, please,” the employee could be heard saying in the video doing rounds on social media.
Following this, a steward came to the fan with the same request, which was contested by Nazar, who demanded a written order to comply. Two police officers then stepped in and asked to shift the conversation away from the stands, following which Nazar allegedly left the stadium. While it is unclear which day of the Test this incident took place, Nazar uploaded the video on Monday, demanding that the management look into the matter.
Lancashire said they were looking into the matter following the outcry on social media.
“We are aware of the incident referenced and are taking steps to understand the facts and context surrounding the matter fully,” a Lancashire spokesperson said.
No official policy for Old Trafford mentions clothing rules related to international teams. However, Edgbaston’s spectator guide for the second Test did include such a clause.
“Only flags, clothing and banners related to the England or India cricket teams are permitted in the stadium. Any items that do not comply with this must be removed and will not be allowed to enter the stadium,” the guide read.
The incident comes during a time when Lancashire are inclining towards building connections with India, with its chief executive also suggesting giving the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) part-ownership in the Hundred. Manchester Originals, the Hundred team owned by Lancashire, will have 70% of its stakes transferred to Sanjiv Goenka, an Indian tycoon who owns the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Pakistan and India have shared tense relations in cricket because of the political differences between the two countries, which have heightened following the Pak-India military stand-off in May this year. The two sides have not played each other bilaterally since 2013, the last time they played a white-ball series. Their only encounters have been in International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments. Even those have recently faced complications.
Earlier this year, both teams agreed to provide a neutral venue for the other side in case one is hosting a multi-team event. In this agreement, India played all its Champions Trophy games in Dubai, even though Pakistan were the official hosts. Similarly, Pakistan will play their Asia Cup matches in the UAE, though India is the tournament’s official host. This arrangement will be in place for three years.
