Yusuf Pathan bowls Bhatkal town over

Cricketer disappoints fans by staying indoors all through his two-day stay in town, where he came to attend a wedding

Cricketer disappoints fans by staying indoors all through his two-day stay in town, where he came to attend a wedding

The town of Bhatkal, which has acquired notoriety because it is the hometown of terror-accused, Riyaz Bhatkal and Abdul Samad, had a surprise visitor in cricketer Yusuf Pathan.

Pathan, who was in the town for two days, where he was attending a wedding in Rukmuddin Athaulla's family, however, disappointed his fans by staying indoors on Friday and Saturday.

Hundreds of youth thronged to the wedding venue on Moulana Azad Road to get a glimpse of their hero.

Yusuf Pathan, who stayed away from public glare in a well-guarded room inside the wedding venue, feasted on chicken dum biryani and relished the local breakfast delicacies

Apart from relishing the local Nawayath cuisine, Pathan visited the popular Murudeshwar and Jolly beaches. "Sachin Tendulkar also visited the city last year but he kept away from the public glare as well.
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This time, it is Yusuf," said Nasrullah (24), a cricket enthusiast, and a member of a popular local team.

"We came to meet him and interact as we had hoped that he would share some tips and give us some inspiration," said Javed Ahmed (26), a cricket enthusiast.

Yusuf was reportedly kept away from the public.

He remained in a well-guarded room inside the wedding venue. Athaulla did not inform the media nor allow any invitees to meet him. Even the police remained mum about his arrival and maintained secrecy.

"There were security concerns that did not allow us to reveal that Yusuf Pathan was in town.

Moreover, the cricketer had told the family he was visiting that he would attend the ceremony provided he was not unduly disturbed," explained a high-ranking police officer.

According to family sources, Yusuf feasted on chicken dum biryani and loved the local breakfast delicacies. He is said to have praised the family for their lifestyle, hospitality and food.

Neither the Athaulla family nor Irfan Pathan could be despite repeated attempts.