ECB invites Sharmila Tagore for Pataudi Trophy presentation ceremony

This time, Begum of Pataudi, Tagore, along with his son, Saif Ali Khan, who is the new Nawab of Pataudi, will be present at the ceremony.

“Yes, I will be travelling to UK during the final Test match (at the Oval). I have already received a formal invitation from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to be present at the Pataudi Trophy presentation ceremony,” Sharmila Tagore told PTI on Monday.

Asked whether the Indian Cricket Board has contacted her, the veteran actress gave a positive reply.

“Yes, the BCCI has also confirmed me about the invitation in writing. Professor Ratnakar Shetty (GM, Game Development) on behalf of the BCCI has contacted me. It took some time but everything has been sorted out. So I can confirm that I will be present during the prize distribution ceremony after the final Test gets over,” Tagore said.

The legendary actress also said that his son noted Bollywood actor Saif and daughter-in-law Kareena Kapoor will also accompany her during the event.

“As of now among my other family members, my daughters (Sabah and Soha Ali Khan) might not be present. But Saif and Kareena are expected to be present during the event,” she said.

The Pataudi Trophy was introduced in 2007 to commemorate the 75 years of cricketing association between India and England in the honour of late Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who played for England.

Similarly the winner of the India versus England series played in India receives the Anthony De Mello Trophy named after the first ever secretary of the BCCI.

After the completion of the last series in England in 2011, the presenter forgot to announce about the Pataudi Trophy as the erstwhile England captain Andrew Strauss was presented with NPower Trophy – which was given by the sponsors on the podium.

After the organisers realised their gaffe, Tiger Pataudi was later requested to come in front of the English dressing room where he handed over the ‘Pataudi Trophy’ to the England captain.