There is one thing about Mahendra Singh Dhoni that even his staunch critics will applaud.
Whether he is on or off the field, he loves to walk the talk. So, when he declared that the hostility associated with an India-Pakistan encounter is long over, Dhoni meant it and his latest act has proved it.
The Indian captain on Saturday arranged a complimentary pass for a die-hard Pakistani cricket fan Mohammed Bashir, who came all the way from Chicago to support his team.
Although Pakistan were knocked out in the group stage, Bashir has stayed back to watch India play the finals and now has become a "die-hard Dhoni fan" having interacted with the Indian captain.
"I was watching India's training session yesterday but I didn't have any tickets. Dhoni is familiar with my face as he has seen me before the Champions Trophy's Indo-Pak game in Birmingham. I told him that I don't have a ticket to watch the finals.
"Dhoni then called some "Kaka" (trainer Ramesh Mane or 'Mane Kaka') and told him to arrange for my ticket. Kaka promptly gave me a complimentary pass. I am completely moved by his gesture," the new "Chacha Pakistani" told PTI today.
He was over the moon after Dhoni also briefly interacted with him.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels | Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks