Cricket And Dosas! This Pakistani Fan Loves Chennai As Much As The Game Itself

A few days ago, Khaver Siddiqi of Karachi was travelling by an autorickshaw in the city. Not knowing the local language, he found it difficult to converse with the driver. Upon telling the driver that he was from Pakistan, the auto driver became elated as he met a man which produced pacers Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

@AsNr80 @spopalzai let's take group pic pic.twitter.com/qhoTA75DQJ

— Khaver Siddiqi (@thekarachikid) February 16, 2016

"Although I didn't get a free ride, I was absolutely amazed at how the auto driver reacted. He went on talking about cricket. I felt like an honoured guest," said Siddiqi, who came to watch the match between Pakistan and West Indies at the Chepauk stadium with his wife Andie de Arment, an US national employed in the US consulate here. With the couple at the Wednesday match was their 10-year-old daughter Eva.

Khaver Siddiqi's FB page

When Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi told the media recently that he felt more loved in India than in Pakistan, Siddiqi was not amazed. "My wife works with the US Consulate. When she was transferred to Chennai two years back, everyone told me that it will be difficult for me because I don't know Tamil. But trust me, I have not faced much difficulties although I am yet to pick the local language. These people are very welcoming. I have been to several places like Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Agra, Bengaluru, Pondicherry and I loved every bit of the country," said Siddiqi, who calls himself a foodie in love with local cuisine.

"Afridi must have felt something which prompted him to say this. But I feel this game can bring people together," said the 36-year-old freelance writer for Pakistan newspapers.

AFP

With Arment being transferred to Nepal, the family will be leaving Chennai in a few months. Siddiqi said the family would miss the dosas. "Back home in Karachi, there are several dosa joints, but the dosas in Chennai are most delicious," Siddiqi said.

It was the first visit for the Siddiqi family to Chepauk. Wearing Pakistan jerseys, they loved every bit of the match. Although the Americans follow baseball more, Arment said she is an exception. "We are staunch supporters of Pakistan. I don't want to be in the bad books of my mother-in-law. Now I follow cricket more than baseball. My daughter can play a bit of cricket too," she said.