He has survived a coronary heart assault, suffers from diabetes and has simply travelled greater than 8,200 miles (13,300km) to observe a cricket match.

Meet Chacha Mohammad Basheer, doubtless the one native Pakistani supporter contained in the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium the place his beloved staff started their World Cup marketing campaign on Friday.

“I am the only Pakistani here but my voice and enthusiasm are equal to 100-150 people in the stadium,” Basheer informed AFP forward of the match with the Netherlands.

The 67-year-old Chicago-based Basheer was wearing a nationwide flag shirt and even carried a nationwide flag in his hand.

Basheer has already been caught up within the decades-long political stress between Pakistan and India which suggests this World Cup marks the primary time in seven years that the nationwide staff has performed within the nation.

He claims he was near being detained final week at Hyderabad airport when he chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” (Long reside Pakistan) slogans and waved the nationwide flag to greet Babar Azam’s staff.

“The police took my flag as it was not allowed so I gave it to them,” mentioned Basheer. “But the team’s welcome was fantastic.”

Delays in processing visas have thwarted plans for droves of Pakistan followers to cross the border and assist their staff.

As a US passport holder, Basheer was in a position to sidestep that chaos.

“I’m sad that no Pakistani fans have been allowed here, but I’m sure that once the tournament progresses they will come in large numbers as they are waiting for visas,” mentioned Basheer, whose Indian spouse is from Hyderabad.

“Pakistan is my country of birth,” added Karachi-born Basheer.

“I am lucky that my wife is from India so I have affection for both countries.”

The strained relations between India and Pakistan have stalled bilateral cricket ties between the 2 international locations since 2012 however they meet solely in multi-nation occasions just like the World Cup, World T20 and Asia Cup.

The arch-rivals will conflict in a high-octane World Cup recreation in Ahmedabad on October 14 the place Basheer will meet his Indian tremendous fan counterpart, Sudhir Kumar.

“I have a special bond with Sudhir,” mentioned Basheer. “At times I book his flight to places where there are matches and we stay together. This is love and affection, I hate war and animosity.” Basheer has turn out to be a well-known face on the worldwide cricket circuit.

During the 2011 World Cup in India, house captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni even gave him a match ticket for the semi-final in Mohali.

“I have a special bond with ‘Mahi’ (Dhoni’s nickname),” mentioned Basheer.

Basheer additionally attended the 2015 World Cup in Australia and within the United Kingdom 4 years later.

However, he suffered a coronary heart assault in Manchester. Now he travels with medicine for diabetes and to deal with his blood stress.

“My medical condition is stable now, I have a bag full of medicines,” mentioned Basheer.

“But I live for cricket and as long as I am fit I will travel to all the matches.”

Come subsequent Saturday, when Pakistan face India, his coronary heart charge will speed up, however his assist will likely be tempered — each as a promise to his spouse, who will likely be rooting for India, and to protect his well being.

“It will likely be 60-40 — I’ve to return to Chicago to reside my joyful life with my spouse. “