'Let me make it very clear. He never said so. Had he said so, the recording would have been there. It was one journalist who did this to further his own career,' the junior Pathan pointed out.

Asked the secret of both brothers making it to top flight cricket, Yusuf joked: 'I have to ask my mother kaun se chakki ke ata khilayi tha (what went into our nourishment)'?

The elder Pathan said it was an arduous task for them to play against the other. 'We know each other's weaknesses and strengths so well. It is difficult to face each other.'

Asked whether the junior Pathan will marry first as he has already gone public about his fiance Shivangi Deb, Irfan said: 'No, he (Yusuf) will marry first. Nahi to bhayya naaraz ho jayenge na?' (Otherwise my brother will get angry)

Yusuf said his family is looking for a match for him. 'If they can get the right girl, I'll marry.'