Lancashire County Cricket Club has admitted that a fan, who was wearing a Pakistan cricket team jersey while watching the fourth Test between India vs England, was asked by stewards at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground to “cover” his shirt. The fourth India-England Test match was held at Emirates Old Trafford last week, finished in a draw on Sunday.
India were trailing England by 311 runs after the first innings and lost their first two wickets for naught in the second innings, but heroics hundreds from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington helped the visitors to secure a gritty draw in Manchester. They are still 2-1 down in the series but would have a chance to level things in the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
The Manchester Test would also be remembered for the handshake controversy when England captain Ben Stokes offered a draw to Jadeja and Sundar as the draw became imminent, but they declined it and went on to score their respective centuries.
Pakistan fans asked to cover team jersey
Also going viral from the fourth Test is a video from the stands, where a fan is seen engaging in a verbal argument with a security officer, who is asking him to cover his shirt. “I’ve been asked by control if you can cover that shirt up, please,” a security officer told the fan, who has been identified as Farooq Nazar by the Pakistani media.
Another steward was heard saying that the shirt “might be considered nationalistic.”
Nazar also explained the situation in how own words in the video. “I have been asked to cover my jersey. I have asked them to give it in writing,” he said.
A spectator who attended the Test Match at Old Trafford was asked to cover up his Pakistan shirt.
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) July 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/iAdtXUVmpF
Eventually, Nazar refused to cover his shirt. He also pointed out that the Indian fans around him have had no problem.
The situation soon escalated enough for the local police to get involved and as per reports, the fan eventually left the stadium but refused to cover his shirt.
Impact Shorts
View AllLancashire to investigate shirt controversy during Manchester Test
Now, Lancashire have announced that they have launched an investigation into the matter. “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.
A report in the Times of India stated that the security policy for the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford included wearing clothing that supports the participating teams – India and England.