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Protest Outside Edgbaston

Do politics and cricket mix? Tense scenes in Edgbaston as the Pakistani flag is burnt by protestors incensed by the on-going civil war in their country.

News 1971 3 mins

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Logo for Media Archive for Central England

Overview

The first day of the test match between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham brings out protestors angry at the presence of a Pakistani team at a time when the country was rocked by civil war. Peter Plant talks to representatives from both sides of the conflict - West Pakistan and East Pakistan. East Pakistan eventually won independence as Bangladesh at the end of the bloody civil war.

Pakistan had been in turmoil since a disputed election in 1970. The war including scenes of atrocities committed by the Pakistan army on the people of Bangladesh continued until December 1971. The end came partly as a result of the involvement of the Indian army who fought in support of East Pakistan (Bangladesh).