Near the turnstiles at the entrance of the Dubai International Stadium, a man with a flowing white beard, his dress deep green and cap sequined with a star and crescent, holds a Pakistan flag as fans, both in India and Pakistan jerseys, flock him for selfies. He is Chacha Cricket, an ubiquitous presence in Pakistan’s games since the mid-90s, and the most recognisable cricket ‘superfan’ in the world.

In the T20 Asia Cup, where tempers have frayed between India and Pakistan players on field, with imaginary gunshots and crashing planes, statements and slander grabbing headlines, Chacha Cricket, whose real name is Chaudhry Abdul Jalil, has been busy pacifying the fans.

“I just tell them, cricket is for love, not for fight… Support your country, respect your opponent. At least, the crowd list

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