Pakistan fan 'asked to cover shirt' during England-India Test

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Lancashire have said they are investigating after an incident in which a fan attending the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford was asked to cover up the Pakistan shirt they were wearing.

The fan, named in Pakistani media as Farooq Nazar, posted a video on social media documenting the request, initially from a member of the security staff at the ground, that he cover the shirt, a replica of Pakistan's traditional green limited-overs kit.

The security guard, who identifies himself as working for Lancashire, says: "I've been asked by control if you can cover that shirt up, please." Later on, a steward can be heard saying the shirt "might be considered nationalistic".

In the video, Nazar can be seen becoming increasingly agitated amid repeated requests to cover up. Eventually, he is approached by a police officer, who asks to continue the conversation away from the stands. According to reports, Nazar then opted to leave the ground rather than hide his shirt.

Political relations between India and Pakistan, frosty for years, have been at their most tense this year, following a brief military skirmish between the two countries in May. Those tensions have filtered into relations between the BCCI and PCB; the two sides have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 and no Test cricket since 2007-08. Their participation in ICC events hosted by either country has also recently become problematic, with a neutral venue added in to stage their games as part of a hybrid solution to the issue.

It is unclear on which day of the Test, which ended in a draw as India batted their way through five sessions, the incident took place but Lancashire confirmed they were looking into it.

"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.

In recent years, Lancashire have openly spoken of building their links with India. The Hundred team based at the ground, Manchester Originals, are set to become 70% owned by Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG group, which runs Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, while Lancashire's chief executive, Daniel Gidney, has suggested giving the BCCI a stake in the 100-ball tournament.

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