World Cup: 'Fans with wonderful mix of identities have the best of both worlds'

Hundreds of British Asian fans are travelling to the cricket World Cup in Australia to support the country of their parents’ birth.

Fans have told Sky Sports their support for India or Pakistan stems from their family’s love of the game and their cultural roots.

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Although they still cheer for England in the Ashes and in other sports, when it comes to cricket their loyalties lie in South Asia where the sport is king.

Up to 200 members of the Bharat Army fan group will be travelling from the UK to support World Cup holders India.

MS Dhoni’s side will clash with Pakistan in the early hours of Sunday morning, a match that is expected to be the most-watched cricket game ever with more than one billion viewers worldwide.

Akshay Loomba has saved up thousands of pounds to spend two months in Australia to watch the India team.

He told Sky Sports: “British-born Asians tend to follow India over England due to their parents upbringing - usually you support who your dad supports in cricket.

“It is still very common amongst the younger generation, I am 24 and all my British Asian friends and their younger siblings and cousins are all India fans.

“For many it allows them to be involved with their heritage and roots whereas in most other sports this isn’t possible, because Indian sportsmen haven’t reached that level.

“India's success in cricket is what has built their fanbase, in other sports India aren’t in the limelight and consequently the following is less.”

The Bharat Army formed in 1999 and has several thousand members in Britain who are famous for their flags and the atmosphere they create during matches.

Equally colourful is the Stani Army who follow the Pakistan team and are known for members dressing up as characters like ‘The Doctor’ who dresses in green medic clothes, ‘The King of Pakistan’ who wears a crown and Sacha Baron Cohen’s character from the film The Dictator.

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Amjad Hussain, known as Mr Pakistan, said trips to the country as a child and family tradition led to him backing Misbah ul-Haq’s side.

“It’s in our blood. Most of my generation support Pakistan as it is the birthplace of our parents and we’ve always had a strong link to the country through numerous trips there as children,” he said.

“Since we were born here, our children do not have this link yet through the strength of our support for the Pakistan cricket team, they are also able to strongly identify with Pakistan cricket."

Stani Army co-founder Tabrez Janjua said this unique support among Britain’s Asian community is only reserved for cricket.

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He added: “For example, when it comes to football I’m quintessentially English and a diehard West Ham fan. I think we’re lucky in a way to have this wonderful mix of identities - the best of both worlds.

“Our grandparents followed Pakistan cricket, so did our parents and so do we. Our children will continue to carry the baton and fly the flag when it comes to this game.

“Stani Army was formed in the UK therefore I would say about 90 per cent of our members are from these shores.”

And there is a similar trend in Australia among its South Asian community.

Competing with fan groups like the Barmy Army for the loudest supporters will be the Swami Army, made up of Australians who follow India.

Angadh Oberoi is one of the organisers for the group which boasts 10,000 members worldwide.

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He said following India allows the community to connect with the country where their family migrated from.

“A main reason that we tend to see a lot of us who were either born here or migrated here at quite a young age support India over Australia is that cricket is the main outlet in which we can relate to our Motherland,” he said.

“During the rugby or football World Cups, you will see us all proudly wearing our green and gold and supporting the Wallabies or Socceroos, but when it comes to cricket our allegiances stay with India.

“With so many religions, cultures, languages in India, cricket is a common ground for everyone and transcends those barriers, as it is a passion and a religion in its own right and the support for India's national team brings people together.”

Oberoi added that another reason is some fans dislike the aggressive style and sledging of some of the Aussie players.

“The Australian cricket team has always had the image of sheer arrogance and intimidation, which you don't see so much with other cricketing nations.

“With cricket being the gentleman's game and growing up with images of the Aussies sledging, intimidating, and verbally abusing opponents has actually encouraged people of different ethnic groups to support the country of origin, who are perceived to play the game in a gentler manner.”

Every game of the ICC Cricket World Cup will be shown live on our dedicated channel, Sky Sports World Cup, starting with New Zealand against Sri Lanka from 10pm on Friday, 13 February.