Abdul Jalil, fondly known as ‘Chacha Cricket’, is set to retire as Pakistan’s most famous cheerleader. The third ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore on June 4 is set to be his final game on home soil, but he is eager to cheer the team on in the three-match Test series in England in late August.
He became a regular visitor to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the 1980s and 1990s when the Men in Green played there regularly. He was mostly noted by his distinct clothing, his cap and dark-green
kurta. He quit a job in the UAE to become Pakistan's full-time mascot and was part of the party during the 1999 Cricket World Cup. He has become a celebrity of sorts in Pakistan and wants to use his platform for welfare initiatives.
"I have done everything for the sheer love of the game and my country. My mission has been to be a great ambassador of the country and make fans across the aisles happy. I am now also looking to do some welfare work after my retirement," Jaili said, during an interaction with ESPNcricinfo.
Jalil spoke of his greatest moments watching Pakistan, singling out the 1986 Sharjah Cup final, where Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a six off the final ball of the innings chasing 246, and the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where Pakistan beat India by 180 runs at the Oval.
"I was on the ground when Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a six on the last ball. I vividly remember Miandad hitting him over deep midwicket. The other memorable match for me was when we beat India at The Oval in 2017,” he said.
But being a fan of any sport comes with its heartbreaks. Jalil revealed that the two most disappointing results he witnessed were Pakistan’s losses to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup and semi-finals on the 2011 World Cup.
"They could not chase 120 against India at New York [at the 2024 T20 World Cup]. I had travelled a great distance to support the team," he said, speaking of the game in 2024.
"I took a painstaking journey for that game. I travelled from Sri Lanka to Karachi to Sialkot and then crossed into India. We could have won that match but mistakes happen. Wins and losses are part of the game,” he added, speaking of the 2011 semifinal, where the Indians
Aged 77, Jalil is satisfied with the number of matches that he has watched of Pakistan and now wants to focus on his goal of opening a restaurant and museum in his hometown of Sialkot, Punjab.
"I will display all the memorabilia I have gathered over the years at the museum. I had the target of cheering for Pakistan in 500 matches, which I have achieved," he said.
