Kenya meets India in the second semi-final of the 2003 World Cup on Thursday, and the general view is the Kenyans will easily be defeated and India will take on Australia in the final on Sunday.

However, Yusuf Ahmed Karim, father of experienced Kenyan spinner Asif Karim, feels Kenya should not underestimated. He says Indians should remember that cricket is full of uncertainties and anything can happen.

"India were 23 for 3 against Kenya, and had Sourav Ganguly not made the century in the Super Six match, India would have lost. Ganguly is a good player and he played very well that day; it resulted in victory for India," says Yusuf Karim.

He adds: "I think if Kenya make 250 tomorrow, then it will be difficult for India. If India bats first and makes 270 then it will be difficult for Kenya. There are many good players in Kenya. India should watch out for Maurice Odumbe and Steve Tikolo. Both are good as is Kennedy Otieno. Then there is also my son."

Yusuf is in Mumbai for knee replacement surgery and will miss watching the match in South Africa. He, however, is content that he will be able to watch the match live on television in his Bombay Hospital room where he is recuperating.

Asked about the chances of his son doing well on Thursday, as he had against Australia in Kenya's last Super Six match,  Yusuf predicted a "great performance". He said, "He should do well as he is playing great. I really hope Kenya wins; it will be a good match. Even if India wins it won't be by a big margin."

Interestingly, Yusuf was born in Mumbai in 1935. His father moved to Kenya in 1937 for business. Since then, Yusuf never visited Mumbai till 15 years ago, when he decided to visit the city "to see my birthplace".

"I like my birthplace. In 2001, I came here for an operation as the doctors here are very good. Therefore, when I had to do a knee operation, I came here," said Yusuf.

Asked whether his son would be able to bowl well against Sachin Tendulkar, the world's greatest batsman, Yusuf replied: "I want my son to do his best tomorrow. If you recall, in the Gwalior match against India my son took Tendulkar's wicket. I think he can take his wicket this time too."

Yusuf has three sons; Asif is the second. One son is in Uganda doing business and the another is settled in Florida, US.

"All my children liked cricket and played at different levels in Kenya. But it was only Asif who could make it big. Interestingly, he was more interested in tennis earlier. And I am happy that he made it big in cricket," says Yusuf Karim.

"Though I too played for Kenya when I was young, Asif has performed far better than me. He never had a coach in his career. Whatever he is today is only because of his hard work and dedication," he adds.

Asked if whether fame has come to his son at a late age, Yusuf said, "No, I don't think so. He has been playing for Kenya for the last 22 years. I encouraged him a lot, though I was not his godfather in cricket."

When told that a lot of people feel that Kenya did no deserve to be in the semi-finals, Yusuf shot back: "No, it was not a fluke. It is wrong to say that. They have worked hard to come to this position. They beat Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and that was brilliant. I feel bad that Kenya has not been given Test status whereas Bangladesh has... they did not qualify for the Super Six." 

He said he is "very close" to his son.

"He calls me every second day. In fact, when he got the man of the match award, he got a gold watch and said it was meant for me; but I told him that he should keep it because he worked hard to achieve it.".”

So what do the father and son discuss when they meet?

"Tennis and, of course, cricket."

Photograph: JEWELLA C MIRANDA