World Cup 2019: Thanks to Dhoni, I don’t have to struggle for a match ticket, says Mohammad Bashir

The relation between India cricket star MS Dhoni and Mohammad Bashir, fondly called Chacha Chicago’ dates a long way back. It was the 2011 World Cup when the cricket-obsessed fan came to India all the way from the United States to see Dhoni. The former India captain had arranged a ticket for Bashir for the semifinal clash between India and Pakistan and since then the bond has only grown stronger.

Since then Bashir has made sure to attend all the multi-nation tournaments and Dhoni has made sure to arrange tickets for him. Bashir is now in England for the marquee clash between India and Pakistan in Manchester on Sunday (June 16). Getting a ticket for the hugely-anticipated clash is a herculean task but Bashir is not worried. The veteran fan is confident that Dhoni would once again come to his rescue.

Moreover, this is probably the last time Bashir would see Dhoni in a World Cup. “I arrived here yesterday and saw that people are ready to pay as much as 800-900 pounds for a ticket. A return ticket from Chicago costs the same. Thanks to Dhoni, I don’t have to struggle for a match ticket,” the 63-year-old, who owns a restaurant in Chicago and is an American passport holder, was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

“Imagine I get the ticket for free when most would pay a fortune for it. I have got a surprise gift for him this time and I hope to give it to him later today,” added Bashir.

Bashir grateful to Dhoni

Mohammad Bashir further lavished praise on Dhoni, calling him a great human being for whatever he has done for him. He recalled his first meeting with Dhoni in 2011 and said that he cannot even be imaging anyone else doing the same for him.

“I don’t call him as he is so busy. I keep in touch only through text messages. Long before I came here, Dhoni assured me of the ticket. He is a great human being. I can’t think of anyone else doing what he has done for me since that 2011 game in Mohali,” Bashir said.