World Cup: Pathan brothers to play

Disha Chopra:

In 75 years of Indian cricket there have been just seven instances of two brothers playing for India.

Now there is an eighth pair to join that list - Irfan Pathan and his brother Yusuf.

They have both been picked for the twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. It's a comeback for the younger one and a debut for the elder one.

Both are away in Kenya right now, playing for India A but in a month's time they will both be playing in the senior team in the World Cup.

"We have been hoping since the beginning that Yusuf will one day make his India debut, but it's better late than never. I thank god that now both the brother have been selected," said Mehboob Pathan, Irfan's father.

Irfan and Yusuf will now go down in history books as the first siblings to represent India in Twenty20 matches but they are the eighth overall after the likes of the Amarnath brothers, the Aptes and the Naydus.

"They both have worked very hard. Even when they came home, they would never sit around but practice instead. Both the brothers infact even play together at the grounds," said Shagufta Pathan, Irfan's sister.

Yusuf's international debut and Irfan's comeback are reason enough for a South African safari for the family.

That vacation could certainly be made even more perfect should the Pathan boys end up winning a joint man of the match award in South Africa.