KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif was so closely associated with Bollywood actor Nana Patekar that his teammates reportedly nicknamed him “Nana”, according to former Pakistan batter Basit Ali, who recalled the pair’s long-standing friendship.
The pair’s long-standing friendship began during the 1994 Singer Trophy in Sri Lanka.
Latif recently recalled how their friendship began and how it continued across the India-Pakistan divide, according to Indian media reports.
Patekar, who died at the age of 75 on October 8, was widely known for his performances in Hindi and Marathi cinema. However, his passion for cricket also helped him develop close relationships with players, including Latif, a former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter and captain.
How Did Nana Patekar and Rashid Latif Become Friends?
Latif said his initial conversations with Patekar took place during the 1994 Singer Trophy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and cricketer Ajay Jadeja played a key role in bringing them together.
According to Latif, the two Indian players regularly created opportunities for him to meet and speak with Patekar. Those conversations continued over the years, eventually developing into a lasting friendship that extended beyond cricket and cinema.
One incident from 1998 illustrated the warmth of their relationship.
Latif recalled that Patekar received an award that year while the Pakistan team was touring South Africa. After learning about the achievement, Latif contacted the actor to congratulate him.
Patekar later met Indian cricketers and jokingly remarked that a Pakistani player had congratulated him on receiving the award, while his Indian counterparts had not.
Latif said Jadeja later shared the anecdote with him. Although the incident appeared minor, it highlighted the personal connection between the actor and the Pakistani cricketer.
Why Was Rashid Latif Nicknamed ‘Nana’?
The friendship became so well known among Latif’s teammates that they began calling the former Pakistan captain “Nana”, according to former Pakistan batter Basit Ali.
Ali revealed the nickname while paying tribute to Patekar, highlighting the depth of the actor’s relationship with Latif.
He also remembered Patekar as a close friend whose warmth and personality extended beyond his performances on screen.
The nickname offered a glimpse into how the actor’s friendship with Latif had become part of the Pakistani cricketer’s personal and professional life.
A Friendship That Crossed Borders
Patekar’s relationship with Latif stood out because it developed between two people from countries whose political tensions have often affected sporting and cultural ties.
Their friendship, which began through conversations arranged by Indian cricketers, endured for more than three decades.
Following Patekar’s death, Latif’s recollections offered a personal account of the actor’s life beyond cinema, while Ali’s tribute highlighted the affection he inspired among people across the border.
Also Read: Nana Patekar’s Cause of Death Revealed: Postmortem Report
Their story serves as a reminder that personal connections can endure despite national divisions, bringing together people through shared interests, mutual respect and lasting friendship.
