Pakistani fan of Virat Kohli faces up to 10-year jail for hoisting Indian flag

Police say that the fan went against the ideology of Pakistan.

New Delhi: A Pakistani cricket fan of star India batsman Virat Kohli is facing up to a decade in jail after he was charged on Wednesday for jubilantly waving the flag of India when his idol Virat Kohli made a match-winning knock against Australia.

According to reports, Police said that the fan named Umar Daraz, 22, went "against the ideology of Pakistan" when he waved the flag at his house in Okara town in Punjab province on Tuesday, during the Twenty20 match against Australia in Adelaide.

Interestingly, Daraz was celebrating Kohli's amazing knock of 90 not out, which set up India's 37-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against Australia.

His subsequent arrest came on Tuesday, as Pakistan's arch-rival India marked its national Republic Day.

Further reports state that, Regional Police officer Faisal Rana said that Daraz was charged under Pakistan's penal code for acting against Pakistan's sovereignty. He could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine.

Rana stated that Daraz likes Kohli and didn't know that was a crime.

"Daraz initially told us that he is a true Pakistani but likes Kohli and never knew that was a crime. His act is against our country's sovereignty and is against the ideology of Pakistan."

The big fan of Kohli also has his room filled with pictures of the star batsman.

Last month, India refused to play a planned series with Pakistan after agreeing to stage the matches in the neutral venues of Sri Lanka.

(With Agency Inputs)