With love to Asif from Pa, Mumbai hospital

“It is very painful,” he said, sitting in his chair, trying to lift his leg and place it on a stool, “but I’m better now. I am going to return to Kenya soon.” The 68-year-old can’t wait to meet his son whose performance against the Australians has assured him a place in the record books.

After Karim was admitted to the hospital on February 24, his only communication with the cricketer has been the telephone. “He called me yesterday,” he added in an excited voice.

A mention of his magical spell against Australia (8.2-6-7-3) also brings a smile on his face. “I was very happy,” said Karim. “Kenya has been giving all other teams a tough time.” In terms of sheer economy, Junior’s bowling performance has been rated the best in the tournament so far.

Yusuf Karim was born in Mumbai in 1935 into a family originally from Kutch. The family owned a shoe shop in the city until they migrated to Kenya in 1937, a decision, Karim said he doesn’t know much about it since he “was only two years old then”.

“There were many families moving to Africa, back then. So my parents decided to explore the option as well,” he said. In Kenya, his family set up the Karim Stationery and Sports Shop which Karim runs till date, 52 years later.

Despite his ailing condition and physiotherapy sessions, Karim sat through all the matches so far. “I saw every game irrespective of which team was playing. I used to be a cricketer too, you know…”

Karim is in tears as he talks about his son’s anxiety over his condition. “He has told me to take my time and recover completely. ‘Don’t hurry, don’t worry,’ he says. I miss him,” he wipes his tears.

Back home in Mombassa, Karim’s wife and his sports goods store too await his attention. But he won’t fly out of Mumbai till the semis. “Kenya has to try really hard. My son has promised me that they’ll do their best.”