HEADINGLY, Leeds: Mystery revealed behind controversial aircraft bannerduring Pakistan Afghanistan match in Leeds.
An unauthorized airplane flew over the Headingly Cricket Ground during anICC match between Pakiastan and Afghanistan carrying controversial banners.
The incident was followed by violent scenes outside the cricket groundbetween supporters of the two teams. Police have taken two persons incustody. Footage of the brawl has emerged on the social media.
While Pakistan were looking to strengthen their chances of reaching thesemifinals of the 2019 championship in their penultimate match beforeplaying their last fixture against Bangladesh, an airplane flew overheadtowing the messages “Justice for Balochistan” and “Help end disappearancesin Pakistan”.
An ICC source told the media that the “aircraft was unauthorized” and saidthat Leeds air traffic will investigate the matter.
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Leeds Air Control, however, said they were not aware of the incident andhad no prior instructions preventing the operator from allowing the planeto fly over the ground with the banners.
Interestingly, a similar attempt by a Manchester-based company, ArabianNites (Manchester) Limited to fly “Justice for Balochistan” banner wasthwarted by the British High Court Judge, Mr Justice Murray, in a judicialreview.
The court disallowed the company to fly these banners through Air AdsLimited after the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police disallowedthe activity stating the message was capable of inciting hatred if allowedto fly over Old Trafford where Pakistan was playing against India.
