It was pace-bowler Munaf Patel’s “guarded” deliveries that gave India a reprieve. As “guarded” as those deliveries is another startling discovery — Munaf’s very hush-hush wedding to Taslima (daughter of Hasinabanu and Amanulla Bashir Haji) in January last year! And sources say that the bashful “Mrs Patel” was spotted in Bengaluru too, though no one knows whether she is staying with her husband.
Though Munaf has denied any hint of wedded bliss since the nikah took place, it is his sister-in-law who spilled the beans — Bilkish, for the first time confirmed that the wedding took place. “It (the marriage) was a suddenly arranged affair that took place last year (on a Friday). Taslima was advised (by the Moulana) that she can’t leave for the 40-day Haj without being married. Due to Munaf’s cricket commitments, he could not accompany her. He also didn’t want any media hype at the wedding. That might be the reason why he has been denying it,” says Bilkish from Ikhar, near Bharuch in Gujarat.
“I can confirm that my sister is very much there (in Bengaluru) with Munaf. She must have seen Munaf bowling the last over to the England tail-enders,” she adds.
Born to a Muslim family that was opposed to cricket, Patel first gained prominence in 2003 at the age of 20 and with Sachin Tendulkar’s backing, was captured by Mumbai in a transfer deal, without ever representing Gujarat.
“I think Piyush Chawla’s last over which produced 15 runs pressurised Munaf. We all watched the entire match and were tense till the last over,” confirmed Munaf’s sister-in-law. “We all prayed for India’s victory. After all, it was izzat ka sawal (a matter of honour). We are sorry that India could not win but are happy that we did not lose either,” she signs off.