The FIFA world cup 2014. Millions of fans all over the world are buzzing in expectation of this football spectacle set to take place in the beautiful Rio, Brazil.

As an England fan my expectations aren't high at all but we seem to have a dark horse feeling about us and I have a small amount of hope in my heart that this could finally be England’s year.

As I sat to watch England’s last warm up game in Miami against Honduras, my little brother poised me with a very interesting question.
‘Why do you support England in football but Pakistan in the cricket?’

This was a question which I have encountered several times. A question that almost makes me feel like I’m not being questioned but like I'm being judged as a ‘plastic’ fan or ‘not a real’ England fan.

A middle aged white man once told me that I should be ashamed of myself for supporting Pakistan when I live in England.
People have even gone to point out that if I support Pakistan then maybe I should migrate over there.

The actual reason for which I support Pakistan has no racial input behind it at all, in fact I have always dreamed of playing for the England cricket team when growing up because I was proud that I was British, proud to live in England and would be proud to represent my country. My support of Pakistan in the cricket is down to one very simple reason - my dad supported them.

 

Asian Image:

 

People may feel like this isn’t a valid enough reason but it can be compared to club football quite easily.

You see kids born and raised in London supporting Manchester United or even teams like Burnley.

I met a Canadian man who supported Wigan Athletic. They supported those teams because their fathers once lived there and loved their city and their club and would want their kids to share in their passion.

My dad has always been a lover of cricket and when he came over to the home of cricket at the age of just 15 he brought his love and passion for the Pakistan team with him, I grew-up watching him cheer, scream and cry whilst watching Pakistan play.

My dad was never really into the football, I'd often hear him say things like ‘Cricket is a real sport, it tests not only your muscles in your legs but in the rest of your body and your brain too’

So I was never really introduced to football through him.

Watching my dad show so much passion for a team rubbed off on
me as it would have on a lot of the other British Asians whose parents emigrated from overseas.

The fact my dad showed no interest in the football gave me the opportunity to choose my own team. I, being born and raised in Manchester, UK chose the 3 lions and have supported them since being a child.

I have spent many hours in my life time cheering loudly and complaining passionately (mainly the latter than the former) about MY football team, England.

I’m sure that I will continue to pass on my love for these teams to my kids and they will to theirs and that isn’t a bad thing in my honest opinion. It’s a beautiful thing knowing that you can love your England one day and your parents Pakistan another.