ISLAMABAD: A diehard fan of Pakistan鈥檚 cricket team, prominent because of his long facial hair and his traditional green shalwar kameez, is finally getting recognition for decades spent hitting stands around the world in support of his nation鈥檚 squad.
Abdul Jalil, 70, famously dubbed 鈥楥hacha Cricket,鈥� has been sponsored by the Pakistan Cricket Board to follow the Pakistan team around the world since 1998, receiving a monthly stipend of Rs. 26,000. This year, on June 14 in Manchester, he will receive the Global Sports Fan Award.
鈥淎fter five decades of cricket frenzy madness, I am overwhelmed to get my first global recognition,鈥� Jalil said in a press release. 鈥淭his is an emotional moment for me and I would like to thank my family and all well wishers who stood by me.鈥�
Originally from Sialkot, Jalil attended his first cricket match in 1969 and has since attended over 300 international matches.
Jalil will be receiving his award alongside Shoyab Ali aka 鈥楾iger鈥� of Bangladesh, Gayan Senanayaka of Sri lanka, and Sudhir Kumar Gautam and Sugumar Kumar of India.
On Tuesday, the diehard fan left for England to support the Pakistan cricket team in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. He was seen off at the Sialkot International Airport by scores of well-wishers.