The Pathan brothers – Irfan & Yousuf of Indian Cricketer – talked about hardships, their struggles to play cricket at the national level, their families and the bonding they share as siblings with host Farah Khan. Airing this Sunday, the brothers are relaxed and teasing each other and revealing an unknown side of their personalities. On the couch with host Farah Khan are brothers and ace cricketers, Irfan Pathan and Yousuf Pathan.

The senior Pathans speak about their humble background and how they did all to help their sons – Yousuf & Irfan – realize their dreams despite their meagre earnings.

Irfan’s father says, “I used to earn Rs 80 working in the Masjid. I knew cricket is a rich man’s game but I didn’t really care since if my sons wanted to play it, I’d bear difficulties but ensured that they would play the game. They used to play in the Masjid lanes and people would complain saying, “What’s this nonsense? It’s namaz time and these Pathans have made a cricket ground here!”

Their mother says, “I asked them to play at home using the ‘dhoka’ (colloquial term for a wooden bat used to wash clothes) as a bat. Once they broke a glass pane so we put them in the club to play.”

Irfan’s father says, “Thankfully, Irfan was selected in the under 15 team and the very same people who use to complain about them, came with flower garlands!”

Irfan is very excited to reveal an incident that happened with his mother. “Earlier, all the mails from females used to come for me. Once, I noticed my mother was unusually happy, cooking and smiling away. So I asked her the reason for her happiness.”

“Mummy started reading a letter and said, ‘Dekh aaj tak tere liye letter aate the, aaj tere bade bhai ke liye bhi letter aaye hain!’ Toh mummy badi khush thi.”

While Irfan is the talkative one, it’s also revealed that it’s actually Yousuf who was the naughty one among the two brothers. From making Irfan drive the cycle for long distances as they went for cricket practice to giving Irfan only 15 minutes to bat if they played for two hours.

On making young Irfan cycle for hours to and fro from their cricket practice, Yousuf says, “I made him do it since he was a fast bowler, he had to do some hard work, had to strengthen his legs so that he could run fast!”

On the other hand, Irfan was also responsible for Yousuf hurting his finger and losing his teeth!

Irfaan comments, “Family support is very important. All speak about my father who undoubtedly supported us but it was my mother who always gave us moral support. Our family always stood by us no matter what!”

Yrfan and Yusuf pathan with Farah Khan in the interview