Don't call us, we'll call you

I first met Adnan Akmal in Lahore. A most surreal sequence of events led to the two of us waiting for the same lift at Best Western Hotel. He was there to meet Mansoor Amjad, I was on my way to my room. Incidentally it was the coldest day in Lahore's history. We met once more a few days later, a delightful Eid evening, when he invited a couple of us home and spoilt us with gulab jamoons. We also got a chance to meet his elder brother Kamran, Pakistan's first-choice wicketkeeper.

Both times Adnan simply materialised. No intimation, just a pleasant jolt. Following the bizarre introduction, I tried calling him a few times. Voicemail. Once I returned to India, I tried to keep in touch. Number not in use. You couldn't enter Adnan's life, he would choose when to waft into yours.

Which is exactly what he did at Leicester. At the end of India's tour game against Sri Lanka A at Grace Road, after the post-match press conference in the pavilion, he emerged. Coincidentally he was again here to meet Mansoor, one of Leicestershire's overseas signings this year. This time, unlike at Lahore where both of us were all wrapped up, it was the hottest day of the English summer. As if meeting him wasn't shocking enough, he began conversation as if there was never a break. "Hello ji, kaise hai? Enjoying England? I thought you may be here. I'm staying here. Playing in Nottingham …"

He's currently playing for a club in Nottingham in the leagues of England. It's his first time here and he's funded the trip on his own. While one brother prepares for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, the other does the hard yards in England. Both are competing for the same wicketkeeping slot. Family dinners must be interesting.

His club requires him to play just one match a week. Practice on Thursday, match on Saturday. Rest of the week is light. Occasionally he takes part in charity matches, mostly he's working on his fitness, otherwise he's free. "I have all the time in the world ji, I can do anything. It's a learning experience for me. This is only my first season, it won't be easy. But it will help me get some exposure. I haven't come till now but one has to start somewhere."

He chatters on tirelessly, shifting topics seamlessly. There's mention of Lahori restaurants, English weather, wicketkeeping techniques and Pakistani pitches. He fills in so much information in one sentence that it's difficult to keep up. Two hours later, when he's still in full flow, we part ways. Contact numbers are exchanged but it won't matter. Someday when least expected, he'll arrive.