Chacha Chicago hails Team India

Team Udayavani, Jun 1, 2017, 2:33 PM IST

New Delhi: Karachi-born and Chicago-based Mohammad Bashir aka Chacha Chicago has shifted allegiance and said that this time he would be cheering for the Indian Cricket team.

Bashir in a recent interview told that there is no competition left between India and Pakistan as India has now grown stronger and will win comfortably.

Bashir further said that he would not be able to attend the tournament as it’s falling in the month of Holy Ramadan and he would be in Mecca with his family.

He then went on to express his love for both the countries and said ““I still love Pakistan but I love India more. Earlier I wanted Pakistan to win but now it is India. The love that I received during my first trip to Mohali in 2011 was overwhelming. I have come to a stage where I end up going to India almost every year and hardly go to Pakistan. I feel much safer in India.”

This Mahindra Singh Dhoni-fan is often compared with Abdul Jalil, 67, famously dubbed “Chacha Cricket”, who is recognised by his long white beard and the traditional green shalwar kameez wearing which he waves the Pakistani flag during the matches Pakistan plays.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been sponsoring Jalil since 1998 to follow the Pakistan team around the world, while receiving a monthly stipend of 26,000 rupees.

On the other hand, Dhoni often gets Bashir tickets to watch cricket matches.