But the real “Iqbal” was just waiting to be discovered in the form of Iqbal Abdulla — a teenager from Azamgarh, who played an integral role in India’s triumph at the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

The left-arm spinner, who does not represent home state UP but made his Ranji debut playing for Mumbai in 2007, scooped 10 precious scalps for the Indians during the Malaysia tour.

But unlike the movie, his father Maulvi Niyaz Ahmad was not at the ground. He was watching the historic win at a neighbour’s house.

While most of the cricket lovers in the country were basking in the Indian conquest of world champion Aussies, the family living in the Terhia Masjid locality of Azamgarh has been following updates in Kuala Lumpur for the last few days.

“I have not seen Iqbal, but from what I have heard from Iqbal’s coach Naushad Khan, I think my son is the real Iqbal. But I don’t know who inspired who,” laughs Maulvi Ahmad, who runs a grocery store.

Coach Khan, who hails from Azamgarh, and was once among Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy players, says, “Iqbal’s story almost reads like the movie’s script, except that our Iqbal is not deaf or mute.”

“I spotted the lad five years ago at the Azamgarh District Stadium, when he was only 13. I asked his family whether they would send him to Mumbai with me, which he strictly refused. He said he didn’t have money.”

However, thanks to Iqbal’s mother Azra Khatoon’s persuasive skills and the coache’s assurance that he would fund the boy’s stint in Mumbai, he managed to bring Iqbal with him. “A small town boy, whose family could never imagine a bright cricket career for their sixth child, Iqbal went on to play at the U-15 and U-17 levels in Mumbai. He then made his Ranji

debut for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh at Dharamsala on December 17 last year,” adds Naushad, with whom Iqbal stays in a flat in Mumbai’s Kurla.

A student of Class XII, Iqbal has just purchased a flat worth Rs 12 lakh and given Rs 2 lakh to his parents for a Haj pilgrimage.

The only Muslim member of the cup-winning squad, Iqbal, whose real name is Saiyyad Iqbal Abdulla — is the bhaiya from UP. But the title dosen’t worry him. He not only tamed the U-19 willow wielders, but also managed to dismiss the likes of Rahul Dravid, Virendra Sehwag and former Sri Lankan captain Marvan Attapattu in the Irani Trophy, Ranji

Trophy, Challenger Cup and other tournaments.

Marking the occasion by distributing sweets in the locality, a jubilant Maulvi

Ahmad admits: “Earlier, I considered cricket a curse but now I can claim it’s been a blessing for the family.”

Always supportive of her son’s love for cricket, Azra now showcases the trophies won by Iqbal with élan in her drawing room. “Earlier, I would hide his awards, which included a tape-recorder and a bicycle, for fear that his father would break them. But now the whole family is proud of him,” she adds.

“When there were attacks on North Indians in Mumbai, I felt secure about my son’s safety as I have believed that only Mumbai will catapult Iqbal to the national squad. I think the day is not too far when Iqbal will make it to the national team,” she said.

The family is now preparing to leave for Mumbai on Tuesday to not only welcome their son, but also ensure that the Rs 15 lakh prize money announced by BCCI for each member of the winning side is spent sensibly by Iqbal.