Considering that he owns a cricket club and can be found at pool tables most evenings, Aftab isn’t just an interesting oddity but someone who gives a different perspective to his religion and its connection to sports. “Muslims are ought to have a sound body and mind in addition to sound morals. And sports is an arena where one can avail oneself of all these,” says the 55-year-old, caressing his flowing henna-dyed beard.

This deeply religious Dongri-resident is one of the participants of the ongoing all-India level nine-ball pool championship at Islam Gymkhana. Aftab had just lost his match against former junior national champion Risheb Pandya when this reporter met him. It was an expected result from the lopsided contest, but the serenity on Aftab’s face fails to mirror the outcome of the match. “The important thing is to play. Losing and winning comes along,” he says.

Aftab took up the cue sport at a local pool parlour but soon got disillusioned. “There were a number of youngsters there who indulged themselves in gambling while playing pool. Betting is prohibited in my religion and so I distanced myself from the place,” he says.

But he didn’t distance himself from the sport and he joined the Islam Gymkhana in 1995. “For me, spending time on the green baize is a way of relaxing,” says the father of five, who also enjoys swimming and chess.

But cricket happens to be the sport in which he has more than a passing interest. Aftab owns a team — Marwari Cricket Club — in the ‘D’ Division of Kanga League. “I’m an off-spinner and a regular member of my team that consists of players from various religious communities,” says Aftab. He had started his team way back in 1993.

The time Aftab spends on sporting arenas doesn’t in any way take his mind off the duties that his faith expects from him. “I strictly stick to my five-times-a-day namaz schedule. I request my opponent to allow me a short break to offer namaz if the game is in progress.”