Though they steadfastly refuse to play against each other, India and Pakistan were both involved in international cricket matches on Monday. India were seeing out the final day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge, while Pakistan were taking on South Africa in the opening match of the Morocco Cup in Tangiers. But in the disputed territory of Kashmir, over which the two countries nearly went to war earlier this year, there was no doubting where the loyalties of cricket fans lay.

"When it comes to a choice, there is no choice," said Mohammad Amin, one of many people crowded into a store showing the Tangiers match. "We will always support Pakistan."

"We will never support India," Amin added. "Whenever India is playing, we will always support the opposing team. Whenever Pakistan is playing, we will always support Pakistan. If India is playing Israel, we will even support Israel."

Since Partition in 1947, Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan along a line of control. Separatists claim that the majority of Kashmiris would prefer to live either in an independent state or to be ruled by Pakistan, and on the streets of the Muslim-dominated city of Srinagar, this seemed to be borne out.

"I always support them, they are from another Islamic country," said a young fan, Shakeel Ahmed.

Of about 30 shops surveyed by AFP, not one was showing the England-India match. In one, the reception was so snowy that proceedings were just a blur, though on the other channel, the coverage of India's game was crystal-clear.

"Even if the reception is bad, we would rather watch the Pakistan match," remarked one of the fans, "And if we did watch the Indian game, we would support England."

Only one person, possibly a cricket purist, offered a sporting explanation for Pakistan's overwhelming support.

"It's just that Pakistan plays more attractive cricket," said Mohammad Tahar. "And they usually win ..."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd