MAK Pataudi with Bihar Cricket Association secretary Ajay Narayan Sharma (right) at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna during the 1996 World Cup match

Patna, Sept. 23: A rendezvous with a nawab can be a rare incident in one’s life but if the nawab is former Test captain of India Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, the memory of the encounter is touched by the magical fingers of Midas.

Ajay Narayan Sharma, the secretary of Bihar Cricket Association, has such treasured golden nuggets that became priceless after Pataudi passed away last evening at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. The flamboyant cricketer who led India to first overseas victory was suffering from a lung ailment.

The former assistant secretary of Patna District Cricket Association today fished out reminisces about the four hours he spent in the company of Pataudi, who had visited Patna in 1996 as a ground observer for the Cricket World Cup match between Kenya and Zimbabwe.

“I can never forget the time I spent with him,” Sharma told The Telegraph today.

“He was all praise for the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium (the venue of the match) and said that it had all the facilities to host an international match,” said Sharma, recalling the exchanges they had.

“He admired the structure of the stadium and wondered why it did not get more international matches. He also said it was one of the best venues to play the game.”

The match between the two African teams was scheduled for February 25, 1996, but could not be played because of rain. The spectators were asked to return the next day with their tickets to see the match.

Sharma said: “The nawab was also witness to Lalu’s political sway. As the rain interrupted the game, then chief minister Lalu Prasad, who was also present at the stadium, did not want the people to go away without some entertainment. So, he called his helicopter to hover over the pitch and dry it. Pataudi said he was amazed to see it. He told me: ‘I love this guy (Lalu) who has the guts to call a helicopter to a cricket stadium.’ He heaped praises on Lalu.”

The nawab was, however, not overwhelmed by the gesture. Later that evening he refused Lalu’s invitation to an official dinner at his house. Sharma said: “Lalu Prasad invited him to dinner but he refused. Thereafter, Lalu asked me and then sports minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui to invite him. ‘Tell Laluji that I shall leave Patna tonight,’ was the polite reply.”

Sharma said: “The next day, the nawab was present at the stadium. Lalu saw him but had nothing to say.”