PAK vs IRE: "Mai chacha nahi hu" - Iftikhar Ahmed speaks out against age bullying by Babar Azam & Co.
Published - 06 May 2024, 03:53 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:37 PM
Pakistan's middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed made a humorous request to fans ahead of the upcoming three-match T20I series against the Ireland national cricket team. Iftikhar Ahmed urged Pakistan team fans to stop addressing him as "Chacha" and prefer to be called by his name instead.
Iftikhar Ahmed, known for his jovial presence, plays a vital role in Pakistan's batting lineup in the shortest format of the game. Players affectionately tease him, referring to him as "chahu" or "chacha," due to his seniority. The batter is set to play a crucial role for Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Mai Chacha Nahi Hu - Iftikhar Ahmed
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Iftikhar Ahmed shared a humorous moment during a press interaction. Iftikhar jokingly requested reporters not to address him as 'chacha,' stating that he is not an uncle but a young boy.
“Mai chacha nahi hu, young ladka hu (I am not an uncle, I am a young boy,” Iftikhar told the reporter, leaving others in splits.
Iftikhar had a forgettable outing during Pakistan's recent T20I series against a second-string New Zealand team. The right-handed batter scored 31 runs in four innings at an average of 15.50 and a disappointing strike rate of 100. He managed to secure one wicket as Pakistan drew the series 2-2.
Iftikhar Ahmed has represented Pakistan in 59 T20I matches and scored 889 runs at an average of 24.69 and a strike rate of 127.73. He has smashed four fifties with a best score of 56. He has taken 8 wickets with an average of 41.50 and an economy rate of 7.04, with the best bowling figures of 3/24.
Babar Azam Said You Are Chacha-e-Cricket - Iftikhar Ahmed
Earlier, the 33-year-old revealed that his nickname originated during a match in Zimbabwe. Ahmed stated that he suggested a fielding change to Babar Azam, which proved successful. Azam then dubbed him "Chacha-e-Cricket" for his cricketing knowledge.
“Look this is made by the people and like I said I don’t give much importance to what people say. There is a small story behind it and that happened in Zimbabwe when I was bowling and Taylor (Brendan) was batting and I was getting some spin. I asked Babar to remove the midwicket and get the square leg deep because if he wants to hit the ball through the midwicket, there is spin, and it can go to the square leg."
"Babar said he would hit you for a six and I told him it’s just a delivery nothing much will happen and later he changed the fielders and in the following delivery when Taylor hit, it went straight to square leg and he was out."
"Babar was happy and said you are Chacha-e-Cricket because you are so sharp and it was picked up by the stump mics and when I returned to my room, everyone was saying Chacha-e-Cricket, Chacha-eCricket, and I could not understand why this was happening and why people were saying this."
The Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, will engage in a three-match T20I series against Ireland from May 10 to 14. They will then play a four-match series against England to enhance their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024.
The series against England will begin at Headingley, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Cardiff, and The Oval. Both the England and Pakistan teams are considered strong contenders to secure the coveted T20 World Cup title in the West Indies.
Also read: Mohammad Amir banned from Ireland? United Kingdom denies VISA to tainted pacer!!
