Farokh Engineer Unhappy With Pataudi Medal Plan: 'An Afterthought To Appease...'
Farokh Engineer believes ECB dedicating a medal to Tiger Pataudi after removing his name from the trophy title is an 'afterthought to appease' a section of fans'
Farokh Engineer was 'very disappointed' when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) renamed the Test series between India and England the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Since 2007, it was called the Pataudi Trophy, in the name of one of India's greatest and culturally significant captains, the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.
ECB made the change just before the ongoing five-Test series in England. After a reported request from Sachin Tendulkar himself, with support from the BCCI, they reinstated the Pataudi name by designating a medal to the winning captain after him. Engineer, who played alongside Pataudi for a lot of his 14-year-long Test career (1961-75) sees the medal as an 'afterthought' meant to 'appease' the supporters of 'Tiger'.
'Well Tiger Pataudi was a great friend of mine. Great colleague of mine. We played a lot of Test cricket. Great heritage, great family. I was most happy when the trophy was named after him back in 2007," Engineer told PTI.
'On one hand I was very disappointed that the Pataudi name was removed, I would love Tiger's name to go on but instead powers that be decided with Anderson and Sachin who are legends of the game. It (introducing Pataudi medal) was obviously an afterthought, they should have announced it in the beginning that would have more credibility but at least they have done something. Common sense has prevailed and hope the Pataudi name always remains," he added.
Engineer added that ECB can't be blamed for honoring Tendulkar and James Anderson, two of the greatest cricketers to have played for India and England respectively, but hoped that the board made sure to be respectable to Pataudi's legacy.
'…the achievements of Tendulkar and Anderson can't be argued against. There are two sides to the story. They have named the medal after Pataudis which is a very thoughtful thing. That must be a second choice to appease a lot of Pataudi supporters of which I am one but you can't blame them for naming the trophy after Sachin and Anderson," Engineer said.
'The whole issue is debatable but they have kept the name. I hope they invite Sharmila Tagore (Mansur's wife) and his son Saif Ali Khan to present the medal. Last series they didn't do that. Fingers were pointed at ECB for that. Hopefully they give them due credit," he added.
England won the first Test by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. the second match begins on July 2, Wednesdsay.
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