'In India, even the sons of billionaires play cricket, but they don't get into the national team. What did I have? Nothing but a broom'
Last fortnight, Sheela Bhatt portrayed the rise of Indian cricket superstar Irfan Pathan as seen through the eyes of his parents and brothers.
In this, the concluding segment of a fascinating conversation, Irfan's family discuss the road ahead for the Indian bowling ace.
In a life of ups and downs, what have been the real high and low points for the family?
Irfan's brother Yusuf Khan: There have been many ups and downs in my father's life but he has never complained, he has always depended on Allah to take care of him.
People have harassed my father when he was muezzin; even now the harassment hasn't stopped. Last year, he was sacked from his job in the mosque, where he has served his entire life; after this incident, his health has been affected.
Irfan's father Mehboob Khan (the man in the photograph): I will show you my mosque, look how clean I have kept it. Even Irfan, before he went on the tour to Pakistan, cleaned the water tank. You can take the greatest pleasures in the world, but nothing compares to serving Allah by sweeping and cleaning His mosque.
Irfan's mother Shamim Banu: What can I say? For my husband, only the mosque matters. He never worries about domestic matters. From 7 am till noon every single day, he works in the mosque; he pours his heart out into that mosque.
I remember once, we were with Irfan on a cricket tour in London and torrential rain spoilt a 300-year-old copy of the Koran. He was blamed for it -- but the fact is, it got spoilt because the management was negligent, the room it was stored in developed leaks. But it was my husband they sacked.
Yusuf Khan: Some people are jealous of us.
Shamim Banu: My husband tells me he will put his broom aside only when he dies; he believes that whatever success we have achieved as a family is because he sweeps the floor of the mosque, keeps it clean.
Mehboob Khan: That is 101 per cent correct. In India, even the sons of billionaires play cricket, but they don't get into the national team. What did I have? Nothing but a broom. Destiny is rewarding me.
Also read: Part I: Genius in the time of hate and bloodshed
Photograph, courtesy the Pathan family