One of them, Owais, was at the Wankhede with his son Mohammed Zian on Friday to witness Ajaz’s heroics. “I can’t tell you how happy I am about my brother. I will cherish these memories for life. I have never seen him play at a stadium. We have been eagerly waiting to see him play in Mumbai. This is just surreal,” Owais, 30, told mid-day.

Owais works as a store manager for a sports brand and was able to attend Day One of the match as it was his weekly off on Friday. “Many of our cousins will come on Sunday,” added Owais, providing a peek into their family’s WhatsApp group that went berserk when Ajaz picked up the wickets of India’s top guns—Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

“It’s a very proud moment for our family. I’m just thrilled to support him from here. He is the first professional cricketer in our family,” said Owais.

While the damp outfield ruled out the first session of the Test, Owais got a chance to speak to Ajaz. “He asked about my son. He was also checking about my new-born baby as she was born premature. He then enquired when our other cousins are coming over to see the match. I wished him luck,” said Owais.

Ajaz’s family still own a house in Jogeshwari. His mother used to teach at a school near Oshiwara, while his father was in the refrigeration business. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, his family would often spend their holidays in India, informed Owais. It is learnt that Ajaz would often come to watch Mumbai Indians’ Indian Premier League matches at the Wankhede and has also bowled to them on a few occasions, thanks to his Kiwi teammate and MI pacer Mitchell McClenaghan.

Also Read: Umpires booed at Wankhede after Kohli’s dismissal