Pakistan's most famous cheerleader "Chacha Cricket" will retire this year. The third and final ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore next week will be the last time he cheers for Pakistan at home, though he is hoping to cheer them on with the Pakistani flag from the stands in England this summer, during Pakistan's three-Test tour.
Australia's games in Lahore mark a full circle moment of sorts for Abdul Jalil - Chacha's real name - who first witnessed a cricket match from the stands in Lahore when England toured for a Test series in 1968-69. He became a fixture at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the 1980s and 1990s when Pakistan played there regularly and his distinct dress - the deep green kurta and cap - catapulted him into the nation's consciousness. He quit a job in the UAE to become Pakistan's full-time mascot and travelled to England for the 1999 World Cup to cheer for the Wasim Akram-led side, after which he became a recognisable figure through the cricket-playing world.
Now at 77, Jalil wants to realise his dream of opening a restaurant and museum on the outskirts of his hometown, Sialkot. "I will display all the memorabilia I have gathered over the years at the museum," he told ESPNcricinfo. "I had the target of cheering for Pakistan in 500 matches, which I have achieved."
Jalil is a celebrity of sorts in Pakistan. His presence is sought at events, ranging from local tapeball matches to wedding ceremonies, and he now wants to use that for the benefit of others. "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."
Jalil had to "change three buses to reach Sharjah" from his office in Abu Dhabi to watch Pakistan play back in the day but the team's recent deteriorating performances discouraged him from travelling to Sri Lanka for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
"I witnessed Pakistan's three consecutive defeats to India [in the Asia Cup last year]. We have now lost nine in a row to India. I did not want them to lose another match after the Asia Cup."
But Chacha has been cheerleading long enough to remember Pakistan's dominance over India. He reminisces about those days fondly. "I was on the ground when Javed Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a six on the last ball [in 1986 at Sharjah]," he said. "I vividly remember Miandad hitting him over deep midwicket. The other memorable match for me was when we beat India at The Oval [in the final of the Champions Trophy] in 2017."
But two defeats, in particular, sting him. "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."
The other is from the 2011 World Cup when Pakistan fell 29 runs short of India's 260 in the semi-final at Mohali. "I took a painstaking journey for that game," he said. "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."
Pakistan are currently going through arguably the worst phase in their cricket history. They have not won a Test away from home since 2023 and were recently beaten in a two-Test series in Bangladesh, who recorded consecutive home and away sweeps over them. They finished the most recent World Test Championship cycle at the bottom of the table and have not made it to the knockouts of the last four ICC white-ball tournaments.
Like many Pakistani fans, Chacha is disappointed, but he retains hope that a change in fortune is around the corner, recalling his slogan: Hota hay bhai hota hay, khel mein aisa hota hay, kabhi agay kabhi peechay, kabhi khushi kabhi ghum, kabhi tum, kabhi hum. [Defeat is part of the game. Sometimes you are ahead of the opponent, and at times, they are. There are moments of happiness and sorrow in it. Sometimes they will win, other times we will.]