Silver lining to defeat at Headingley - British Asians cricketers performance on terrestrial TV

[NeVerMind]

As a Pakistani cricket fan, the defeat yesterday was disheartening but expected.

However, as the match was being broadcast on terrestrial TV (BBC One), it was great to see, for once, all three prominent British Asian cricketers in the starting 11 for the first time - Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Sajid Mehmood who performed brilliantly on the day with the former winning Man of the Match award. The photos of the match being used to report on the English win comprises mostly of Mo with his arms around Adil which is very heartening to see and makes a change for all the biased and negative reporting that British Asians like me have had to suffer for years.

Here's hoping it inspires another generation of British Asians to take up the game who were able to see the game for free yesterday. In addition, the rest of the England squad are such respectable and admired lot that it makes it very easy to root for them and not begrudge them all for the sporting success they are having. They are great ad for inclusion and diversity that this country desperately needs right now and makes a refreshing change from the English cricket team in the 80s when I was growing up.

 

[Forum363]

None of that helps when English cricket is an inherently racist institution.

Even if we excitedly run to the clubs to sign up, the atmosphere there will knock the enthusiasm out of most Asian players in no time.

But hey, they’re making those cute announcements before the game so that’s what matters.

 

[ElRaja]

was great to see, i mean as a pak supporter its always rubbish watching pak lose, but as a britpak its great to see the trio do well.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to see the Pakistani fans giving Saqib Mahmood, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid fantastic support throughout. Exactly how it should be <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvsPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvsPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1416811394540965888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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[SangasCoverDrive]

I think British Pakistanis should start supporting England now. Pakistan team is at rock bottom and now England have got a few Brit Pak players too and more coming in the pipeline.

 

[NeVerMind]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to see the Pakistani fans giving Saqib Mahmood, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid fantastic support throughout. Exactly how it should be <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvsPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvsPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1416811394540965888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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I remember when I went to watch Pakistan play England at the Rosebowl all those years ago (when YK scored a rare ODI century to win the match), Sajid Mahmood was playing and he was being booed by the Pakistani supporters and being called a 'traitor' which was very disgusting to see. Glad to see it has changed now and the support the current trio are getting. Long it may continue...

 

[NeVerMind]

I think British Pakistanis should start supporting England now. Pakistan team is at rock bottom and now England have got a few Brit Pak players too and more coming in the pipeline.

It has crossed my mind I tell my kids that is fine if they want to support England now since they can identify more with the likes of Mo, Rashid and Mehmood than the Pakistani players anyway (plus they keep winning so less painful)...

 

[Maher96]

I was at the match and after Babar if anyone got a loud roar or reception was Moeen Ali… the whole stadium erupted when his name was called out. He matched that with a exciting performance too.

Notable mentions go for Adil Rashid who took a worldie of a catch as well as Bairstow who I must say is a like a flash in field and was greatly appreciated also as he was a local lad.

However Shadab is also not far behind.

Great match tbh would love to go to more matches in future.

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

It has crossed my mind I tell my kids that is fine if they want to support England now since they can identify more with the likes of Mo, Rashid and Mehmood than the Pakistani players anyway (plus they keep winning so less painful)...

True and the fact is that Brit Pakistanis (the ones who have been living here for ages) have very less in common with Pakistan. Most of them speak Mirpuri which is almost an extinct language in Pakistan. Most Pakistanis have never even been to Kashmir and even if they did, it’s mostly the Muzaffarabad region. I think Saqib, Moeen and Adil all are from Mirpur or the adjacent areas like Jhelum, Attock which is estranged from normal Pakistanis who are usually from Lahore, Karachi, KPK, Islamabad. Pakistani Americans are different though, they are recent immigrants so they have more in common with Pakistan than British Pakistanis.

 

[Bewal Express]

I remember when I went to watch Pakistan play England at the Rosebowl all those years ago (when YK scored a rare ODI century to win the match), Sajid Mahmood was playing and he was being booed by the Pakistani supporters and being called a 'traitor' which was very disgusting to see. Glad to see it has changed now and the support the current trio are getting. Long it may continue...

The stupidity of calling Sajid a traitor is mind boggling. There is banter and then there is stupidity and that was just plain stupidity

 

[NeVerMind]

Also the likes of Aatif Nawaz commentating was very heartening to see and hear...he is just like one of us who has now managed to the top cricket commentating gig on the BBC

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think British Pakistanis should start supporting England now. Pakistan team is at rock bottom and now England have got a few Brit Pak players too and more coming in the pipeline.

This is inevitable anyway, just like most British Pakistanis support the England football team regardless of whether there are any British Pakistanis in the team. I like to see the Brit Pak cricketers doing well, although I'm not really a fan of either Moeen or Adil.

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

This is inevitable anyway, just like most British Pakistanis support the England football team regardless of whether there are any British Pakistanis in the team. I like to see the Brit Pak cricketers doing well, although I'm not really a fan of either Moeen or Adil.

That's probably because Pakistan don't have a proper football team. Most Mexican Americans support Mexico in football and same with other ethnicities as well.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I think British Pakistanis should start supporting England now. Pakistan team is at rock bottom and now England have got a few Brit Pak players too and more coming in the pipeline.

What a load of rubbish. They should be loyal and always support Pakistan. This is why Brit Pakistanis are known to be disloyal to Pakistan.

 

[NeVerMind]

What a load of rubbish. They should be loyal and always support Pakistan. This is why Brit Pakistanis are known to be disloyal to Pakistan.

Point is, people who have been supporting Pakistan cricket team all their lives will continue to do so. I, myself, was converted to the game and the Pak team when I briefly lived there between 89 to 93 and the 92 WC win happened. However, the same cannot be said for my children, the next gen, who have never been to Pakistan and identify themselves as British so what's the point of forcing them to support my team?

They see themselves in the likes of Mo, Adil and Saqib and there is nothing wrong with that. And hopefully a lot of such kids were inspired with the performance the trio gave yesterday which was shown on normal terrestrial TV.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Point is, people who have been supporting Pakistan cricket team all their lives will continue to do so. I, myself, was converted to the game and the Pak team when I briefly lived there between 89 to 93 and the 92 WC win happened. However, the same cannot be said for my children, the next gen, who have never been to Pakistan and identify themselves as British so what's the point of forcing them to support my team?

They see themselves in the likes of Mo, Adil and Saqib and there is nothing wrong with that. And hopefully a lot of such kids were inspired with the performance the trio gave yesterday which was shown on normal terrestrial TV.

That's not a reason really. I'm a 20 year old who was born and bred in Canada and has only went to Pakistan once. I still feel super attached to the Pakistan team I would never support anything else, and a lot of my peers echo the same feelings. I'm sure there some Brit Pakistani youngsters who would only want to support Pakistan. You just can't change your roots.

 

[NeVerMind]

That's not a reason really. I'm a 20 year old who was born and bred in Canada and has only went to Pakistan once. I still feel super attached to the Pakistan team I would never support anything else, and a lot of my peers echo the same feelings. I'm sure there some Brit Pakistani youngsters who would only want to support Pakistan. You just can't change your roots.

And there is nothing wrong with that. You can support anyone you want to. The point I was making is that, unlike say English football, you actually have British Asian role models who are playing at the highest level which will obviously inspire a whole generation of Asians in this country not only to support, but one day play internationally. And that's a good thing.

And I, for my sins, will continue to support Pakistan through the good times (not so many) and the bad times (so, so, many).

 

[street cricketer]

That's not a reason really. I'm a 20 year old who was born and bred in Canada and has only went to Pakistan once. I still feel super attached to the Pakistan team I would never support anything else, and a lot of my peers echo the same feelings. I'm sure there some Brit Pakistani youngsters who would only want to support Pakistan. You just can't change your roots.

Think the litmus test for tolerance is this question.

Would you be okay if some Pakistani hindus support India against Pakistan in a cricket match?

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Think the litmus test for tolerance is this question.

Would you be okay if some Pakistani hindus support India against Pakistan in a cricket match?

Definitely not. They should be supporting Pakistan. And Indian Muslims should be supporting India.

 

[ElRaja]

I think British Pakistanis should start supporting England now. Pakistan team is at rock bottom and now England have got a few Brit Pak players too and more coming in the pipeline.

i wish i could, supporting pakistan is like the worst thing ever, but unfortunately like most addictions, its nearly impossible to give up. i have come to terms with accepting that i will pbly die grumpy abt pak having rubbish fielding standards, randomly collapsing from winning positions and not being able to compete with athleticism of the best teams.

 

[street cricketer]

Definitely not. They should be supporting Pakistan. And Indian Muslims should be supporting India.

So what's the problem if some British Pakistanis support the country of their birth?

 

[Shaka81]

Can people stop saying British Pakistanis as though this automatically makes you English. I was born in Britain but as a proud Scotsman I would never support England in anything. The loudest cheer in my house recently was when Italy won the Euros!

My heritage is Pakistani so I will support the Pakistan cricket team.... mainly because Scotland are rubbish at cricket.

If you are an English Pakistani, then it should be your choice whether you support England or Pakistan or both!

 

[NeVerMind]

Can people stop saying British Pakistanis as though this automatically makes you English. I was born in Britain but as a proud Scotsman I would never support England in anything. The loudest cheer in my house recently was when Italy won the Euros!

My heritage is Pakistani so I will support the Pakistan cricket team.... mainly because Scotland are rubbish at cricket.

If you are an English Pakistani, then it should be your choice whether you support England or Pakistan or both!

I am, as you call it, 'English Pakistani', but even I could not bring myself supporting the English football team, mainly due to the racist fans (can't imagine taking my kids to a football match). But I don't feel the same way when it comes to the English cricket team as

1. The team comprises of 'English Pakistanis' like Mo, Ali and now Mehmood
2. English cricket fans who are educated and not thugs like some football fans (I always enjoy having a good chat with the fans when I am at the ground - very civil, great banter and mutual respect for the opposition teams)
3. The current lot of English players are respectable and just a nice bunch of lads, a world away from the days of Gatting and Botham when I was growing up

Side note: You are proud to be called a Scottish-Pakistani but the same can't be said of the term 'English Pakistani' as no one uses it here which I believe it may be due to the colonial and racist undertones to using the word 'English'. Has anyone ever used the term 'English Pakistani' rather than 'British Pakistani' when describing themselves?

 

[Snowflake]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to see the Pakistani fans giving Saqib Mahmood, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid fantastic support throughout. Exactly how it should be <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvsPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvsPAK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1416811394540965888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Why should it be like that? Aren't they playing against the team these fans support?

 

[IMMY69]

For me it's simple.
I supports Pakistan when it plays against any country.
I support England when they are playing against any country except Pakistan.

My kids support England in football and Rugby, they don't watch cricket.

 

[Cricketrenew]

None will get fair chance for England...... Moeen already being pushed out quietly.....

 

[NeVerMind]

None will get fair chance for England...... Moeen already being pushed out quietly.....

I think Moeen just booked his ticket to the UAE...and Rashid gets 4...British Asians are here to stay!

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's brilliant. ECB treated Ajmal Shahzad shoddily but been great otherwise. Moeeen Ashraf and Usman Arshad slipped through the cracks though

 

[NeVerMind]

Well done to all 3 British Pakistanis in the England team who have been instrumental in both wins...I can see a whole new generation being inspired by them

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

I asked Saqib Mahmoods family if they support Pakistan or England. They said if Saqib is playing then they support England otherwise they support Pakistan

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

Why should it be like that? Aren't they playing against the team these fans support?

Most of the fans watching were British Pakistanis so it makes sense for them to support one of their own

 

[albinogonk]

I asked Saqib Mahmoods family if they support Pakistan or England. They said if Saqib is playing then they support England otherwise they support Pakistan

Do you know which area they are from in Pakistan? I know Moeen and Adil Rashid's families are both from Azad Kashmir but not sure about Saqib Mahmood.

 

[shamaan]

None will get fair chance for England...... Moeen already being pushed out quietly.....

Moeen has played quite alot of cricket am sure he would be satisfied with his career

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

Do you know which area they are from in Pakistan? I know Moeen and Adil Rashid's families are both from Azad Kashmir but not sure about Saqib Mahmood.

I think they are from nearby area in Attock not too sure tho

 

[KingKhanWC]

I remember being at Edgbaston in 2016. When Moeen came out to bat, he was given the biggest ovation I've ever witnessed in a cricket game for any player walking out to bat. Both Pak and Eng fans cheered him. Being from Bham they were a lot of locals in the crowd, many knew Mo personally. He went on to be man of the match.

I did cheer hard for Mo because he's a Brummie but I usually just clap if they do something good in the game but nothing more. Always want Pakistan to win.

Its just a matter of time before England unearth a future 95mph fast Brit Pak bowler.

 

[NeVerMind]

So final verdict of the performance of Mo Ali, Adil Rashid a d Saqib Mahmood? Personally I think all 3 will be part of the England squad for the T20 World Cup... Adil was a shoe-in, Mo has proved himself with the bat and the ball and Saqib proved he is wily enough to be effective on the pitches in UAE ( though the latter may not feature in the playing 11 unless there is a out of form seamer or injury)...

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So final verdict of the performance of Mo Ali, Adil Rashid a d Saqib Mahmood? Personally I think all 3 will be part of the England squad for the T20 World Cup... Adil was a shoe-in, Mo has proved himself with the bat and the ball and Saqib proved he is wily enough to be effective on the pitches in UAE ( though the latter may not feature in the playing 11 unless there is a out of form seamer or injury)...

I think Adil is the one who will most likely make the first 11. If it's played on turning pitches, he is going to be dangerous. He gets good turn even on normal wickets, on dry tracks he will be a real handful. Moeen is not really dominant enough in either batting or bowling, and Saqib is decent, but England have better fast bowling options.

 

[MenInG]

Moeen is still on and off in terms of his performances. Adil seems to be the must have for England for UAE at the moment.

 

[Manunited18]

Went to the Old Trafford t20 game and boy what a game. Moeen and Adil performed brilliantly, as for young Saqib he has a very promising future in all formats with his excellent skill set. Personally being a England fan I don't mind Pakistan doing well at all, added with excellent atmosphere the Pakistan fans bring to the games.

 

[PakHammer]

Being a born and bred Londoner but I will always support Pakistan over England in cricket. It's been that way for years and not going change despite the Pakistan cricket team not being strong for a few years.

However it will put a big smile on my face if Moeen, Adil and Saqib do well against India in the white ball cricket later this summer.

 

[redmaverik84]

Definitely not. They should be supporting Pakistan. And Indian Muslims should be supporting India.

Absolutely. Country first and then religion.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

If i was an overseas indian and had kids born in whichever country, i'd want them to support the country of their birth and wherever they are brought up, and not india....
end of the day its that country thats feeding you, and not India, yeah india might be the mother land but home is where thy heart lives, i donot feel anything wrong in supporting where you are born or where you are brought up even if it is against india, the same way -i'd have no affinity to Ajaz patel, Ish sodhi, hash amla, keshav maharaj, shiv chanderpaul, min patel, vik solanki Ravindu shah, raman subbarow, mark ramps, hitesh modi, mutthiah murali., stuart clark...et all...

 

[NeVerMind]

Mo Ali and now, Saqib Mahmood, now in the test squad to face India tomorrow. Here's hoping they get a chance to perform and inspire another generation of British Pakistanis at the highest level.

 

[NeVerMind]

Was supporting England anyway but if Mo Ali and Saqib play, it will add extra dimension and spice...

 

[NeVerMind]

Totally forgot Haseeb Hameed as well...if all 3 play (Mo, Saqib and Haseeb), would this be the first time the English team has played 3 British Asians in their starting line up for a test match ever?

 

[shamaan]

I have high hopes for haseeb hopefully he is given a run