IPL Diary: Umpire Butt's egg paratha for Tendulkar and a caught-behind for Kohli

By K.R. Nayar

Tariq Butt, one of UAE’s most experienced umpires, hails from Pakistan but has closely interacted with the two Indian greats Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in various roles. Read my IPL Diary which appeared in Gulf News 


During the Sharjah Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) tournaments, he used to be in charge of the team dressing rooms. That is when he catered to Tendulkar's favourite food habits. The legendary batsman used to crave for the egg parathas that he used to get for him from a local eatery. “Years later, during the 2011 World Cup when I met Tendulkar in Mohali, he came and hugged me and invited me for breakfast the next day,” recalls Butt.

Butt, who was tall and hefty, has lost weight since he got a heart attack while umpiring a match in 2015. West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd addresses him as “Big Butt” With regards to Kohli, during the 2014 IPL in the UAE, Butt gave the Indian captain out 'caught- behind' in a warm-up match that he was officiating.

“Royal Challengers Bangalore had divided their team into an AB de Villiers XI and a Virat Kohli XI. That day I got to watch closely the beauty of Kohli’s shots. But I did not get carried away and gave him caught behind off Ashok Dinda. He nodded approvingly at my decision and walked off quickly,” said Butt.


Yuvraj Singh is another top cricketer who has kept in touch with Butt. He speaks to him in Punjabi and is a friend of Yuvraj’s Singh’s father Yograj Singh. So whenever he would visit Mohali for cricket, he has been Yograj’s guest.

Butt has also officiated in a match played by Kings XI Punjab head coach Anil Kumble many years ago. “In 1987, Kumble came here with the Bangalore Cricket Association team led by Roger Binny, and I officiated in that match too. I am thankful to cricket for being able to meet all these greats and even umpired their matches," remarked Butt.  

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