Genius in the time of hate and bloodshed
Interview: Sheela Bhatt
When did you get the confidence that Irfan would get into the national team?
Mehboob Khan: When he played for India Under-15. Both brothers were selected to play in Malaysia for India, but in the final selection, Irfan was picked. I was very happy that day.
Yusuf Khan He has played at various levels, at various spots, for the national team and filled up our shelves with trophies; we are
very proud of him.
What, if any thing, was the turning point?
Yusuf Khan: The match in Malaysia was the turning point. He took three wickets for two runs, his hat-trick there made us very happy. It was at that point that we thought he had a great future with the Indian team. Later, he took nine wickets in Pakistan, when touring with the Under-19 team (Note: Irfan was a member of the U-19 squad that won the age-level Asian tournament in Pakistan, defeating Sri Lanka in the final after having earlier defeated Pakistan in a league match. Irfan, who took 3/33 in the final, tallied 18 wickets in the series and was the team's lead strike bowler.).
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Irfan (circled) at a school sports camp. Photograph, courtesy the Pathan family