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Would you still watch cricket if your country didn't play anymore?

ExpressPacer

ExpressPacer

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The question says it all. What I really want to know is - Are you a fan of the game of cricket before you are a fan of Pakistan/India/England/etc or is it vice versa?

Assume the cricketing nation you support suddenly goes into oblivion and stops playing all together. Would you still follow cricket as religiously as you do now?
 
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Definitely!

It hardly makes a difference to me who is playing amongst England/Australia/Pakistan/India/New Zealand/South Africa in Test cricket.

I'm not that interested in the weaker countries, but the top six, definitely.

In fact, I love the Christmas/New Year period.

I can watch NZ's home Test from 8 am here in Australia, then Australia's from 10 am, then South Africa's from 7 pm to 2 am.

It's fantastic!
 
Junaids said:
Definitely!

It hardly makes a difference to me who is playing amongst England/Australia/Pakistan/India/New Zealand/South Africa in Test cricket.

I'm not that interested in the weaker countries, but the top six, definitely.

In fact, I love the Christmas/New Year period.

I can watch NZ's home Test from 8 am here in Australia, then Australia's from 10 am, then South Africa's from 7 pm to 2 am.

It's fantastic!
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Absolutely! That's what the game of Cricket does to you! Was looking to hear something like this from you.

However, I don't think a lot of people will share the same opinion.
 
Absolutely not.

I hope cricket is dead in India and is replaced by football or basketball.
 
ExpressPacer said:
Absolutely! That's what the game of Cricket does to you! Was looking to hear something like this from you.

However, I don't think a lot of people will share the same opinion.
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Mate I try and watch as much cricket as possible when its on TV.

I'm old school, so for me there's nothing like the first morning of a test match.. These days I don't have the time to watch it all but whenever I can I do.

Boxing Day tests are fasntastic too.. I always watch the first session of the first day and for the rest I catch the highlights owing to the time differences between UK and Australia.
 
IMMY69 said:
Mate I try and watch as much cricket as possible when its on TV.

I'm old school, so for me there's nothing like the first morning of a test match.. These days I don't have the time to watch it all but whenever I can I do.

Boxing Day tests are fasntastic too.. I always watch the first session of the first day and for the rest I catch the highlights owing to the time differences between UK and Australia.
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Exactly. Unfortunately however, with boards becoming selfish and only thinking about money - the death of Test cricket in inevitable. Hope I'm wrong!
 
Would view occasionally but it would greatly decrease plus I'd be heartbroken
 
I would watch maybe an occasional game for a while but nothing beyond that.
 
I'm surprised by many of the answers here.

I spend so many hundreds of hours watching just six international teams each year that I actually grow to love or at least admire players from every team.

As a random example, I really admire FAF du Plessis from South Africa and adore watching Quinton De Kock.

The same applies with New Zealand to Neil Wagner and BJ Watling. They are not the best players, but they try so hard and obtain every drop of their potential.
 
A pure cricket lover doesnt care about teams all he cares about is Cricket...like most of us watching IPL...because we love cricket
 
Tests of top 6 : Yes
One days : No as i only watch Pak and that too big series
T20s: dunno
 
Yes I will continue to watch, the passion will be less but I will find a new team to back.
 
Junaids said:
I'm surprised by many of the answers here.

I spend so many hundreds of hours watching just six international teams each year that I actually grow to love or at least admire players from every team.

As a random example, I really admire FAF du Plessis from South Africa and adore watching Quinton De Kock.

The same applies with New Zealand to Neil Wagner and BJ Watling. They are not the best players, but they try so hard and obtain every drop of their potential.
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Exactly. And that's what Test cricket is all about. I remember reading your post about how you fell in love with Pakistani cricketers playing in the county circuit during your youth. Unfortunately however, that's not the case for more people. Which is why I'm not surprised.

Most of us like, or even love cricket because Pakistan, India, Australia or whatever it is play that sport. Football fans are much different.
 
I will never stop watching World Cups whether or not India plays. CWC and T20 WC would top my list of favorites no matter what.

Why would I give up watching contests like Maxwell v/s Steyn or De Villiers v/s Amir just because my National team doesn't play anymore? The excitement of a contest between Willow and Leather exceeds everything for me.
 
czar said:
I will never stop watching World Cups whether or not India plays. CWC and T20 WC would top my list of favorites no matter what.

Why would I give up watching contests like Maxwell v/s Steyn or De Villiers v/s Amir just because my National team doesn't play anymore? The excitement of a contest between Willow and Leather exceeds everything for me.
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Absolutely. Especially Test cricket.
 
Hell yeah I would, I already probably watch other countries games more than I watch Pakistans games. Yeah the time zone does play a part but I'm never disappointed that i have to watch another teams game.

Just last month i watched NZ vs SA, all 3 tests
 
Its an interesting thing.

I like cricket and I like neutral cricket so I will still enjoy watching but it would be a lower priority compared to other stuff.
 
I only watch matches that involve Pakistan. If Pakistan isn't playing then the only reasons I watch the match are:

1. The result of the match directly effects Pakistan
2. If India is getting a wholesome slap-around
3. England and Australia are playing the Ashes
 
Syed1 said:
I only watch matches that involve Pakistan. If Pakistan isn't playing then the only reasons I watch the match are:

1. The result of the match directly effects Pakistan
2. If India is getting a wholesome slap-around
3. England and Australia are playing the Ashes
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Kyunkay Pakistan ki jeet mei inti khushi nahi jitni India ki haar mei. :harby
 
I used to watch all games of India when I was 12-13 when we only had Sony tv, Zee tv. Loved Dravid.

But yea now it's impossible unless the matches are on Sky Sports and in the evening or in the weekend. I still love watching games in Australia, England or South Africa. The wickets are usually lush green with bowlers having some help early on.
 
I will watch , but priority may go down a bit.
 
Very rarely, only if something really interesting going on in the match but will lose interest eventually.
 
I watch all of Pakistans games, and will watch the highlights of all England games as there matches are shown on sky sports. With Australia being on BT sport I follow most of there games.

I would watch cricket but not with the same passion.
 
Did that for 20+ years before 2001. And before that followed via radio.
 
Cricket for me is a bit like football.
I support Arsenal and try to watch every game, either at the ground or on TV.

If there's a game on the tv that doesn't involve Arsenal I still enjoy watching it.

So I suppose I watch both sports for the love of the sport and not just because my team is playing.
 
No, and the reason won't just be India's absence. Current generation of players from various nations simply doesn't excite me anymore.
 
Very intelligent thread by OP. Those who were claiming that BCCI can live without ICC and international cricket are saying they will not be as interested as before or would like cricket to be dead in India. Since they claim that they share the views of majority of indian fans here can someone explain this thing to me? How is BCCI going to survive if these fans will start losing interest in cricket after India decides to not play international cricket? It seems they got trapped in their own views. :inti
 
As it is following international cricket and Indian domestic is time-consuming task. I have slowly dropped watching even highlights of England and Zim tests and LoI's.

I will definitely watch whatever part of Ranji is broadcasted and T20 world Cup.
 
My interest in cricket has gone down over the years and cricket has taken a backseat in my life. I miss many matches India plays. In fact don't remember the last match which I watched completely. Can't be arsed about watching other countries play.
 
Bhaag Viru Bhaag said:
Very intelligent thread by OP. Those who were claiming that BCCI can live without ICC and international cricket are saying they will not be as interested as before or would like cricket to be dead in India. Since they claim that they share the views of majority of indian fans here can someone explain this thing to me? How is BCCI going to survive if these fans will start losing interest in cricket after India decides to not play international cricket? It seems they got trapped in their own views. :inti
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Yes, indeed. Very surprising. A lot of Indian fans were open to the idea of a 9 month long IPL and boycotting International cricket but the very same posters are saying they would stop watching cricket entirely.
 
ExpressPacer said:
Yes, indeed. Very surprising. A lot of Indian fans were open to the idea of a 9 month long IPL and boycotting International cricket but the very same posters are saying they would stop watching cricket entirely.
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Why will sponsors pay money for IPL matches then? People are forgetting these sponsors are also businessmen and patriotism is the last thing for them. If they sees the benefit they will put money on it otherwise they have other means to grow their income and audience.
 
Yes. We have that experience already. I was a die hard fan of Pak when our team wasn't on the scene regularly 1985-1987. I was a pak's fan till 95-97. Pak-ind match i was fan of most.Then when bd became regular then i started to support them. Still fan of other teams like ind,sa,sl. I would see other's match if bd be not their. First i am cricket supporter then country.
 
Junaids said:
Definitely!

It hardly makes a difference to me who is playing amongst England/Australia/Pakistan/India/New Zealand/South Africa in Test cricket.

I'm not that interested in the weaker countries, but the top six, definitely.

In fact, I love the Christmas/New Year period.

I can watch NZ's home Test from 8 am here in Australia, then Australia's from 10 am, then South Africa's from 7 pm to 2 am.

It's fantastic!
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Then surely you don't watch Pak games in ODI.isn't it?
 
Zak_Fan said:
No, and the reason won't just be India's absence. Current generation of players from various nations simply doesn't excite me anymore.
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why are you in cricket forum,bro? You should not watch cricket,whether ind play or not.why waiting for ind quitting?
 
Nil Dhumrojal said:
Yes. We have that experience already. I was a die hard fan of Pak when our team wasn't on the scene regularly 1985-1987. I was a pak's fan till 95-97. Pak-ind match i was fan of most.Then when bd became regular then i started to support them. Still fan of other teams like ind,sa,sl. I would see other's match if bd be not their. First i am cricket supporter then country.
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There were a lot of fans of Pakistan even until 2012. I remember Hasina had to ban people of Bangladeshi origin from coming to stadiums with Pakistani flags. So, even after Bangladesh had become a fairly good side, they still supported Pakistan. But now things are changing because of the Anti Pak and Pro India Govt. Isn't it?
 
Except any Mickey Mouse league matches ,i try to watch and enjoy any neutral or own matches if time and time zone parmits. Try my best to watch .
 
Nope. There is no reason to watch cricket if my team is not there. Other teams are not good enough to be that special tbh.
 
ExpressPacer said:
There were a lot of fans of Pakistan even until 2012. I remember Hasina had to ban people of Bangladeshi origin from coming to stadiums with Pakistani flags. So, even after Bangladesh had become a fairly good side, they still supported Pakistan. But now things are changing because of the Anti Pak and Pro India Govt. Isn't it?
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Nope. You are wrong. It was an issue of flag. Some Urdu speaking 'bihari' of bd uses Pak flag even in their houses and this is against our flag rules. According to our flag rules no one other than foreign diplomats can use other flag anywhere. Those biharis were violeting the rule from many years. That time hasina's gov't showed hardness to make biharis to follow the flag rule and honor it.
Supporting is one case and flag issue is another. Don't mix these two.
 
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Nil Dhumrojal said:
Nope. You are wrong. It was an issue of flag. Some Urdu speaking 'bihari' of bd uses Pak flag even in their houses and this is against our flag rules. According to our flag rules no one other than foreign diplomats can use other flag anywhere. Those biharis were violeting the rule from many years. That time hasina's gov't showed hardness to make biharis to follow the flag rule and honor it.
Supporting is one case and flag issue is another. Don't mix these two.
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hahahahahaha

what a country, you can't wave a flag and this guy is actually making excuses for it. Plus, Hasina is a monster.

Btw, lots of Bengalis in Britain actually prefer the Pak team...they must make you so angry.
 
dildildalwalla said:
hahahahahaha

what a country, you can't wave a flag and this guy is actually making excuses for it. Plus, Hasina is a monster.

Btw, lots of Bengalis in Britain actually prefer the Pak team...they must make you so angry.
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Stop that nonsense which you don't know. Still 40% of bd people support Pak team and 60% India. It was 70-30 to Pak before. Still lot of people support Pak team. But none if them would want to carry Pak flag except those biharis. We Don't mix game with others. When it comes to nationality then very few people support Pak but when it comes about cricket then lots of bd people supports Pak cricket team. Two fact is different. You don't know better than us about our feelings and facts. So stop your nonsense without living in bd
 
Nil Dhumrojal said:
why are you in cricket forum,bro? You should not watch cricket,whether ind play or not.why waiting for ind quitting?
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Why? If India plays, I'll watch it for sure bro. It isn't that I don't like Cricket, but I am not as aware of other teams like I used to be before, hence a lack of interest.
 
Nil Dhumrojal said:
Stop that nonsense which you don't know. Still 40% of bd people support Pak team and 60% India. It was 70-30 to Pak before. Still lot of people support Pak team. But none if them would want to carry Pak flag except those biharis. We Don't mix game with others. When it comes to nationality then very few people support Pak but when it comes about cricket then lots of bd people supports Pak cricket team. Two fact is different. You don't know better than us about our feelings and facts. So stop your nonsense without living in bd
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Bangladesh fans are among the best supporters during neutral matches. I know that even during the Football WC, Bangladeshi fans are passionately supporting teams in two camps - Brazil and Argentina.

During intense Indo-Pak matches, what is the composition of support to both teams from Bangla fans? I mean suppose if India and Pakistan get to finals of 2019 WC, then what would be the approximate breakup of percentage of fans in Bangladesh supporting India and Pakistan?
 
santos11 said:
Bangladesh fans are among the best supporters during neutral matches. I know that even during the Football WC, Bangladeshi fans are passionately supporting teams in two camps - Brazil and Argentina.

During intense Indo-Pak matches, what is the composition of support to both teams from Bangla fans? I mean suppose if India and Pakistan get to finals of 2019 WC, then what would be the approximate breakup of percentage of fans in Bangladesh supporting India and Pakistan?
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I already told. You'll get the best neutral fans support here in bd. I would guarantee you that you can't find anywhere the neutral support as bd fans of any pak-ind match whether it is wc match or not.
It was 50-50/60-40 to pak before but now i think it's 50-30 to ind where 20% don't support either. I can explain why it is like that now.
 
Barely.

Depends on the games' timings really.

I'd prioritize the NHL and MLB (Blue Jays) over it, though.
 
Nil Dhumrojal said:
I already told. You'll get the best neutral fans support here in bd. I would guarantee you that you can't find anywhere the neutral support as bd fans of any pak-ind match whether it is wc match or not.
It was 50-50/60-40 to pak before but now i think it's 50-30 to ind where 20% don't support either. I can explain why it is like that now.
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That's great support for India, because some fans would lead you to believe that 99.99% Bangladesh fans support Pakistan against India. Never knew it were the minority Biharis that wanted to visit stadiums with Pakistan flags, conspiracy theorists were running propaganda about how average Bangladeshi fan was being stopped from carrying Pak flags into the stadiums by Evil Hasina. :))
 
I do watch other teams play aswell. These days rarely though.


But, if Pakistan stops playing than it will be all over.
 
Nil Dhumrojal said:
Yes. We have that experience already. I was a die hard fan of Pak when our team wasn't on the scene regularly 1985-1987. I was a pak's fan till 95-97. Pak-ind match i was fan of most.Then when bd became regular then i started to support them. Still fan of other teams like ind,sa,sl. I would see other's match if bd be not their. First i am cricket supporter then country.
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Never knew you like Pakistan. :))
 
ExpressPacer said:
Yes, indeed. Very surprising. A lot of Indian fans were open to the idea of a 9 month long IPL and boycotting International cricket but the very same posters are saying they would stop watching cricket entirely.
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I think you are getting mixed up between boycotting international cricket or boycotting ICC. They are quite two different things
 
I only watch icc events, all pakistan games and the english summer. Take away pakistan from that and i wouldn't be watching much cricket at all.

A lot of this is due to time zones, i would never let cricket affect my sleep unless pakistan is playing.

If pakistan never had a team i dont believe my initial interest in the game would have been sparked.

If pakistan stopped playing now id be heartbroken and probably just watch a couple of games from the icc events.
 
Yup no doubt. Nothing better than a good game of cricket :shezzy
 
I will still watch as long as both sides have quality players. Of course, I do not watch Afghanistan vs Ireland now and will not watch it then.
 
Pakpak said:
Never knew you like Pakistan. :))
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I liked Pakistan as there were some great and exciting players then. I still don't utter wasim's name without saying 'guru'. He was and is my ever most favourite player. 2Ws playing and i didn't watch,it never happened in 90s. Today there is not a single Pak player to attract me to support the team. Now a days bd even afg players are most exciting than Pak players in odi.
 
Yes but not as passionately anymore.

International cricket and patriotism remains the driving force behind cricket! :)
 
santos11 said:
That's great support for India, because some fans would lead you to believe that 99.99% Bangladesh fans support Pakistan against India. Never knew it were the minority Biharis that wanted to visit stadiums with Pakistan flags, conspiracy theorists were running propaganda about how average Bangladeshi fan was being stopped from carrying Pak flags into the stadiums by Evil Hasina. :))
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These bihari's has identity crisis. They were always Pakistan(country) supporter,never excepted bangladesh(country) as a country. After war Pakistan denied them to enter the then west pakistan. But still they think themselves as Pakistani though court give them Bangladeshi nationality few years back for humanity but still they don't consider themselves as Bangladeshi and these people always create dilemma to foreigners by using pak flags everywhere.That's why our gov't had to be hard on these type of people for not honoring the flag and flag rules.
 
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Nil Dhumrojal said:
These bihari's has identity crisis. They were always Pakistan(country) supporter,never excepted bangladesh(country) as a country. After war Pakistan denied them to enter the then west pakistan. But still they think themselves as Pakistani though court give them Bangladeshi nationality few years back for humanity but still they don't consider themselves as Bangladeshi and these people always create dilemma to foreigners by using pak flags everywhere.That's why our gov't had to be hard on these type of people for not honoring the flag and flag rules.
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You are only kidding yourself if you claim that only Biharis support Pakistan.

I had several Bengalis friends from Bangladesh in uni here in Canada and all of them said that growing up they always supported Pakistan in cricket matches specially against India and still back Pakistan to this day when we are not playing BD.

In any case it doesn't matter who supports whom, but stop spreading lies.
 
Syed1 said:
You are only kidding yourself if you claim that only Biharis support Pakistan.

I had several Bengalis friends from Bangladesh in uni here in Canada and all of them said that growing up they always supported Pakistan in cricket matches specially against India and still back Pakistan to this day when we are not playing BD.

In any case it doesn't matter who supports whom, but stop spreading lies.
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First read all of my comments regarding this. I said still lots of bangladeshis support Pakistan CRICKET. First read all my previous posts then reply. I never said that no one support Pak cricket. First read pls. You are mixing cricket support with country support. I elaborated both in my previous posts. Read first.
 
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Nil Dhumrojal said:
These bihari's has identity crisis. They were always Pakistan(country) supporter,never excepted bangladesh(country) as a country. After war Pakistan denied them to enter the then west pakistan. But still they think themselves as Pakistani though court give them Bangladeshi nationality few years back for humanity but still they don't consider themselves as Bangladeshi and these people always create dilemma to foreigners by using pak flags everywhere.That's why our gov't had to be hard on these type of people for not honoring the flag and flag rules.
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Razakars I guess.
 
santos11 said:
Razakars I guess.
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Actually 'razakars' were a group of people during war. A small fraction of people consist of Bengali and biharis. You did not need to be razakar to be the anti bd then. If you want to know who were they and their role then i can send you messages as it is OFF TOPIC. I WANT TO STICK TO THE THREAD ISSUE.
 
I only watch Pakistan games.....so no I will not watch cricket if Pakistan stops playing
 
Yes, I'd keep watching even if Pakistan stopped playing. In fact there was a period after the 2007 World Cup where Pakistani cricket seemed to drift and got stuck in indifferent limbo as we didn't play a test match for a full year, but I still kept up with the game.

I'd stop watching though if all we had was a diet of franchise T20, which seems to be the refrain from a lot of new age supporters.
 
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