CRICKET CHACHA- 1983-Sunday News

As the crowd disperses after an exhausting day’s cricket there drifts away into oblivion and seclusion an aloof and forlorn figure of an elderly man by the name of Akberali Fazal Ismail  alias ‘Chacha’ or to be appropriate ‘Cricket Chacha’ as pet named by cricket enthusiasts.

For a whole day the crowd focuses its attention on the score board which keeps moving with the rapidity of a computer as runs pile up whilst overs diminish and wickets keep on tumbling. The man behind the scene is Chacha.

Born on 4^th June, 1918 in Daressalaam, Chacha is a simple man by nature. His 65 years age makes him slightly stoop and limp. While taking care in a shop in the city keeps him occupied during weekdays, weekend finds him registered at the cricket ground.

Chacha’s way of life evokes sympathy. A section of the crowd derives cynical pleasure in ridiculing Chacha. How excruciating it must be for the old man to be put upon such a strenuous and that too an honorary work while his endeavour  directed at satisfying the public is  reciprocated in the form of belittlement!

It is saddening to see Chacha limping his way to Kinondoni Ground as motorists heading towards the same venue by pass him without even a courteous offer for a lift - a contrast of what this gentleman’s game teaches.

Chacha played cricket for Agakhan School at the inter school level between 1935 and 1942. However his attachment to the score- board goes back to 1935 when he started keeping score in a match between Ithnashri Gymkhana and Karimjee Gymkhana. He derives immense pleasure from this irksome and unusual task.

Chacha prefers Kinondoni scoreboard to others as it is low and does not necessitate him to climb the chair to place the number plates on the board unlike those at Coast or Gymkhana. The board at Kinondoni is also nearer to the scorers. Daressalaam Gymkhana despite the unavailability of trees that provide shade against the scorching sun and its shabby pavilion continues to be Chacha’s favourite ground for it reminds him of the good old days.

Chacha’s contemporaries refer to him as ‘Bhalloo’ that has nothing to do with his family name. Interestingly he gained this nickname from his adoration of his childhood hero by the name of Kermali Bhalloo who used to be Zanzibar AK Club’s fast bowler and a fine batsman.

Chacha vividly recalls the 1931 incident in the Agakhan Club versus Hindu Sports Club match when supporters of the latter invaded the ground as one of their players was adjudged lbw. He compares this incident to that in Dar Cricketers' crucial match against Union in recent time when the umpires got beaten by some of the spectators who invaded the pitch on Shiraz Sumar’s  run out dismissal.

Chacha is a staunch supporter of Dar Cricketers and Shiraz Sumar his favorite cricketer. According to Chacha the onlookers are captivated by Sumar’s majestic display of cricket and the confidence that he exudes. Chacha gets annoyed when Dar Cricketers do not play up to his expectations and specially when Sumar gives away his wicket cheaply. His facial expression undergoes a change and he becomes red with anger.

Chacha feels honored when he gets appreciated as occasionally feted by DCA in the form of remuneration or small material gift at the time of visits by overseas teams or East African teams during quadrangular tournaments. Chacha cherishes the shield presented to him by Malawi’s Mpingwe during its participation in the AG Tarmohamed tournament played in Daressalaam last year. That was indeed a good gesture on the part of the visitors.

Chacha reveals his disappointment at the present status of our cricket unlike the past when teams from abroad would visit us and our public had the opportunity to watch good cricket. He wishes that outside teams visit us regularly and the country’s standard of cricket is improved.

Chacha recommends a squad of the following from whom Tanzania xi may be picked:-

Shiraz Sumar, Bashir Tejani, Mohamed Nathoo, Alnasir Hasham, Subhash Parmar, Gulamraza Sheriff, Munir Sheriff, Kutbuddin Dossaji, Hitesh Patadia, Bashir Ramzan, Alnoor Fazal, Shakir Sherally, Parvez Vira and Sajjad Lakha.

Certain youngsters and in particular children love Chacha whom they regard as grandfather of Tanzania cricket. A roar of laughter gets created as he yells, “Hit on, no time two overs to go.”

As Tanzania’s leading cricketer, Shiraz Sumar, rightly puts it, “We cricketers are grateful to Chacha, and cricket in general owes a lot to this old man whose indefatigable service without any motivation is a clear indication of his humanity. The mere presence of Chacha at the ground enlivens the atmosphere and the public just loves the character that he portrays.”