'Thank you for the memories': X bids a heartfelt farewell to Chacha Cricket on his retirement
Pakistan cricket’s most iconic fan has hung up his cap and set down his flag for the last time.
Chacha Cricket, whose unwavering support for Pakistan’s cricket team in spite of their incredibly poor performance made him a symbol of hope for cricket fans everywhere, retired from cheering for the team in a ceremony on Tuesday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board treated the super-fan to a cake and a commemorative jersey presented by skipper Shaheen Afridi on the sidelines of the One Day International between Pakistan and Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium — where Chacha watched his first international match in 1969.
Being a celebrity, Chacha’s fans were sad to see him leave the field and tributes poured in on X.
Ali Tareen, the former owner of the Multan Sultans and a bonafide cricket fanatic, recalled his memories seeing Chacha Cricket at Pakistan’s games.
Another user recalled meeting him as a kid and being inspired to cheer for Pakistan.
Naturally, netizens weren’t happy to see the green shirts lost Chacha’s farewell match. We’re all pretty used to seeing them lose, but this game was supposed to be special.
One user said he deserved better, while another speculated he may have chosen to retire because even he couldn’t stand the team’s incessant losing streak.
Whatever the cause may be, Chacha Cricket’s almost 500-match-long career of being Pakistan’s biggest cheerleader brought smiles, spirit and much-needed hope to a group of beleaguered fans who often don’t have much else to keep them going. He will be missed both on and off the field.
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