ONE brave shopkeeper, who believes he is the only India Cricket fan in his neighbourhood, is watching today’s World Cup grudge match with dozens of Pakistan supporters.

Cricket-mad Mohammed Chopdat, says he will have to cheer on his beloved India in the semi-final along with dozens of his Pakistan-supporting friends.

The 25-year-old, who runs Y&M News in Pendle Street, Accrington, said: “The Asian community in the town is almost entirely Pakistani, which means I’m almost the only Indian in Accrington.

“The match is going to be a massive one, but I am going to be surrounded by loads of opposition fans.

“I am going to watch the match at home with my friends and I’ve told them all that we are going to win. I know we can do it.”

Mr Chopdat, whose father Yakub, 58, is Indian, was born in Blackburn and moved to Accrington when he was seven.

He said: “I think the game is going to be stressful.

“There’s going to be a lot of banter and arguing but I’m sure it will be good humoured.

“When the game finishes the place will go mad.

“We will be out on the streets celebrating, and hopefully it will be for an India win.”

The India/Pakistan cricket rivalry is considered to be one of the most fierce in the world.

In East Lancashire, around 10 per cent of the population is Indian or Pakistani, with the majority in most communities being from Pakistan.

Former Blackburn with Darwen mayor Mohammed Khan will be cheering on the Pakistan team.

He said: “There will be a huge interest in Lancashire for the match.

“In Blackburn there are a lot of Indian and Pakistani communities.

“The rivalry is so intense that everyone will be glued to the game.

“It is going to be so exciting.”

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