A month after his international debut, putting in some solid performances in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab -- he was the hero against Mumbai on Wednesday, conceding only eight runs in the final over -- Abdulla smiles as he speaks zof his early struggles. “To think about pursuing any sport then was ridiculous. There were just farms all around and getting a decent education itself was a big thing. It was only after high school that my talent was noticed and I joined an academy. My coach Hasim Ebrahim used to take me on a two-hour drive from Dundee to Pietermaritzburg to help me pursue my cricket,” the 26-year old says. “I am glad I’m living my dream.”

Nicknamed ‘The Dundee Express’, the left-arm seamer, incidentally, had gone unsold at the second season’s auction. “I was a touch disappointed. I wanted to be a part of the IPL because it’s proved to be a great platform for a lot of international players. When the IPL came to South Africa, I was beginning to sense that something might work in my favour,” he says. “Then, one day, the phone rang and the Kings XI guys said they wanted to sign me. I just said deal.”

Yusuf, who made his international T20 debut against Australia, had finished as the leading wicket-taker in the domestic competition and was signed up as replacement for West Indian Jerome Taylor, who met with an accident just before the tournament.

Yusuf has often been criticised for his stocky frame, and has been subjected to many rude remarks for his perceived lack of fitness. Yusuf answered those by losing a massive 15kg in a month before making the cut for Nashua Dolphins and Kwa Zulu Natal in first-class cricket. “I know I’m stockier than a conventional cricketer, but it helps me pull my weight in bowling quick. To play for Dolphins or Natal I had to pass through many fitness tests and if I was able to clear them, it means I’m fit. I have been training hard even now, hitting the gym with Irfan (Pathan) any time we get,” he says.

Yusuf also acknowledges the role South African batsman Hashim Amla has played in shaping his career. “He’s been a great friend, almost like an elder brother to me. We have played along together right from Dolphins and other representative sides and have always been roomies. When I made it to the South African dressing room, on my debut, he was there to welcome me and introduced me to everyone.”

Yusuf has now shifted base to Durban city and drives a gleaming silver car. He has clearly come a long way from where he started off, but says he hasn’t forgotten his past — or his school teacher. “Even now when we get together at the reunion, me and the teacher recall that moment and have a laugh about it.”