Family support for Munaf

In a chance encounter, this reporter bumped into pacer Munaf Patel's family; they had come from Gujarat to cheer for the bowler and India

In a chance encounter, this reporter bumped into pacer Munaf Patel's family; they had come from Gujarat to cheeru00a0 for the bowler and India

On the look out for 'good' stories and photograph opportunities around the stadium, my photographer and I reached the popular eatery Pizza By The Bay. An hour before the match, the atmosphere was festive. There were plenty of children and adults, both inside and outside the restaurant, dressed in the Indian team's jerseys with 'India' scribbled on their faces.


Ismail Matadar, cousin of India pacer Munaf Patel and his son Fahad
Ismail Matadar came all the way from Gujarat to cheer for the bowler
and team India. Pic/ Bipin Kokate

But one child stood out. On his face was scribbled the name 'Munaf'. He was sitting with a group of five adults. On inquiring, the child looked up and said, "Because I want chachu (paternal uncle) to take wickets." Who's your chachu, we asked.

A man from the group hesitated, but later gave in. The man was Munaf Patel's cousin brother Ismail Matadar and the young boy was his son Fahad Ismail Matadar. (Ismail is the vice-president of the Bharuch District Cricket Association, Gujarat). Another member of the group was Sajid Ali, Patel's best friend. The group had come all the way from Gujarat to cheer for Patel and India.

Fahad said he had just finished his standard 7 examinations and thus managed to come to Mumbai. "I came to see my uncle's final match. I hope he takes a lot of wickets. The last time I spoke with him was in Mohali. That day, I congratulated him for his performance."

Ali, who hails from the UK, admitted how the group went to Haji Ali to pray for India's victory. He said, "Before watching the semi-final match in Mohali, we had gone to the Ajmer Dargah to pray for the team. This time we went to Haji Ali." Patel may have gone wicket-less in the finals, but he sure had support.

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