While being raised in UK, a place where resides a large population of immigrants from the subcontinent, Pakistani descent Moeen Ali always cheered for England despite a major chunk of his community supporting the country of their origin on television and various cricket grounds which the current England all-rounder found quite awkward and disagreeable. 

But now, having grown up and matured enough with 58 Tests and 98 ODIs at the highest level behind him, Moeen feels these differences of opinion and affiliations are perfectly fine as long they don't cross the fine line of respectability. Although in reality, there continues to be an uproar over British Asians supporting India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka above their place of citizenship. They often outnumber the English in stadiums when their country of origin takes on the national side. 

"Growing up (in UK), I always felt slightly different as I always supported England first and they tended to support Pakistan. I genuinely thought they should be the same as me," wrote Moeen in his column for the Guardian. 

"But over the years, I’ve changed my views on this. It doesn’t actually matter if someone who was born in UK supports another country. If people have a strong affiliation to Pakistan through their roots, why can’t they support them? Who cares? People following cricket is the important thing."

However, Moeen was quick to point out that the things have been gradually progressing in this regard. 

"It is changing over the years when we get to the third and fourth generation immigrant families," he added. "There will be more England supporters among them. I’ve had British Asians telling me that they support England because of me and Adil Rashid."

"Whoever people are supporting, they are here to have a good time and our job is to entertain them."