The Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle revealed that he proudly identifies himself as the Foreign Chacha of the Multan Sultans squad.
While he was speaking with the media in Lahore, the 41-year-old explained how his nickname originated in the Australia’s Big Bash League. During the league the Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf started calling the senior player Chacha.
Siddle said with a smile that the boys call me Chacha and that he is aware of his new nickname.
It was further explained by Peter Siddle that the nickname stuck and was eventually carried over to the PSL dressing room. His new team mates are carrying the trend.
Siddle also said that his nickname was sealed when he posed with the Pakistani cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed who is already also known as Chacha.
He added, “I think it’s just I played with Haris Rauf this year in the Big Bash at the Stars. So yeah, he was calling me that this season. So that stuck with me. And then the boys last night made me get a photo with Ifti. I think Mohammad Nawaz loves calling me chacha. So, I think it’s going to stick. I’m the foreign chacha, and Ifti can be the local chacha.”
The literal translation of the term chacha is paternal uncle. It is commonly used in Pakistan to show respect and affection.
In Pakistani cricketing circles it has also been recently linked to a player’s experience and seniority and their role as an elder, dependable presence in the squad.
Weight is added to the nickname due to Siddle’s decorated international career.
He has represented Australia in 67 test matches and taken 221 wickets. He later transitioned into franchise cricket before playing 20 ODIs and a couple of T20 internationals.
Now at the end of his career, Siddle has been given the name Foreign Chacha which he seems to be enjoying.
