'Support England or sit at home' - Sajid Mahmood

Mahmood will not give his dad a ticket for tomorrow's Test unless he supports their adopted country and not Pakistan
MANCHESTER: When Sajid Mahmood learnt that he would be walking out onto Old Trafford to face Pakistan in the second Test that begins Thursday, he could not have been blamed for thinking about his father.
England's talented fast bowler of Pakistan origin has been born and brought-up in England and considers himself an Englishman.
The same can be said about his father, Shahid, the Bolton policeman who came to England 26 years ago.
But then you can never ever forget your motherland.
It will be only Mahmood's third Test appearance — and his first game for England since his horror show during the ODIs against Sri Lanka.
Bit weird
Mahmood told British tabloid The Sun: "It's a bit weird because my parents are from Pakistan, they came to England 26 years ago.
"But I've told them they have to support England and, if they don't, they won't be getting a ticket!
Pak supporter
"When I was really young, I used to support Pakistan because I was brought up that way. But since the age of 13 or 14, when I started watching England on TV, I've always wanted to be on that stage and play for England.
"I've supported England ever since," the Lancashire paceman said. "It would be a dream come true for me to play for England at Old Trafford having played all my professional career here.
Big opportunity
"I have quite a lot of family coming so it would be good if I got my chance. Playing against Pakistan and doing well would be great."
The senior Mahmood has had a police job since he lost the sight in his left eye when a riot shield shattered during a training exercise.
There will be extra responsibility on his son's shoulders in this Test because he will be one of only three specialist seamers in England's attack in the continued absence of Andrew Flintoff.

If i was his Abbu, I'd stay at home and watch Pak on Sky HD..

if i was his abbu, saj mahmood would be in for a beating with my shoe

ajeeb dada geeri hai

If I was his dad, I say 'I'll support Eng' get the tkts - sell them on and stay home and watch the game on TV - and say 'putter jee-I am a Pakistani'.....

OXy man that is the post of the week...I am in my office laughing and my **** colleagues are like whats up. I told them and they were giggling too!

I'd support Enland if my son was playing for England...for my son to do well but may be Pak to win!

What a bad son!!!

I am staying home and supporting england

CF, i was just browsing through your previous posts you made on PP and you actually sounded like a pretty decent person with a good insight into cricket. You even said Pakistan will be world champions in your backyard in 2007. I see a big difference in your post from then and now.

what have you been mixing with your beef jerky maan?!

well when people behave hostile because i expressed my viewpoint

it really turned me against pakistan

Well obviously if you insult our players and team you're going to get hostile reaction. I was also browsing on a certain Indian board and you were spreading hate of Pakistan there. You're quite the stirrer.

you got to be kidding me

i am no member of any indian cricket......which players did i insult?

tell me

Well I'm not 100% sure if its you, but the writing style is similar and the user goes by the name 'Black Prince' Insulting Inzy's averages in the WC and etc.

no way i am only a member of pak passion cos i like pakistan after west indies.

my fav players are inzi shoaib ..AFRIDI...best of all........however i get deeply disappointed just like you when he fails.

i am no fan of india, however as a cricket lover i give credit when and where it is due....not biased toward any team...not even west indies.

if any team plays crap then i say so irrespective of who they are.

but sorry to say ......some people here take things to personal if you

are making CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS about something

and dont worry i always belive to be happy and not let anger get the better of me

i would tell him, once a **** always a ****