New Delhi, September 22
Diagnosed with an incurable lung disorder, former India cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi breathed his last today evening at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here after a month-long battle with lung infection.

The 70-year-old cricketer, known as 'Tiger' in the cricket fraternity, was suffering from interstitial lung disease, a condition in which the passage of oxygen to the two lungs is less than normal. He is survived by his wife Sharmila Tagore, son Saif Ali Khan and daughters Soha and Saba Ali Khan.

At 5.55 pm, hospital medical director Dr RK Ganjoo broke the news. “He is no more. He was diagnosed with ILD in which the oxygenation of lungs doesn’t occur as it should. The disease being incurable, he was being managed with supportive treatment by a multidisciplinary team. The patient in such cases breathes out more of carbon dioxide and transplant is an option, but in his case not possible. His response had been poor and he had been critical.”

When the Nawab of Pataudi breathed his last, his actor-son Saif Ali Khan and his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor were by his side, doctors said. Family members, including wife and veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, daughters Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan had virtually been camping at the hospital for the past few days.

Born on January 5, 1941 in Bhopal, the right-handed batsman made his debut for India at the age of 21 in a drawn match against England here in 1961. In a career spanning almost two decades, he played a total of 46 test matches.

In 1964, Pataudi was bestowed the Arjuna Award before being honoured with a Padma Shri in 1967. A star not just on field but off it too, Pataudi married the then reigning queen of Indian cinema Sharmila Tagore in 1969 and the glamorous couple had three children -- Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan.