In a proud moment for Indian cricket, Farokh Engineer was honoured with a stand named after him at the iconic Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, becoming only the second Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to receive such recognition at an overseas venue.
The B Stand—located between the Player and Media Centre and the Hilton hotel extension—was officially renamed the Sir Clive Lloyd and Farokh Engineer Stand just before the toss on Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and England. The unveiling ceremony saw both Farokh Engineer and West Indies great Clive Lloyd in attendance, honouring their remarkable contributions to Lancashire Cricket Club.
“This is a proud moment not only for me but for India as well,” said the 87-year-old Engineer.
“Clive and I were talking about it this morning. We never imagined something like this would be done in our honour. God is Great. This compensates for not receiving recognition in my own country.”
Engineer, who played much of his domestic cricket in Bombay, primarily at the Brabourne Stadium, also reflected on the lack of acknowledgment back home:
“It is a shame that my achievements are not recognised where I played most of my cricket.”
Still, he expressed appreciation for being awarded the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, calling it a meaningful gesture.
In a statement, Lancashire Cricket said:
“Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce that the Club has named a stand at Emirates Old Trafford after Club icons and Hall of Fame inductees, Sir Clive Lloyd and Farokh Engineer.”
Clive Lloyd, the legendary West Indies captain, said he was proud to share the honour with his longtime friend:
“I share this honour with Farokh, a great friend and brother, as well as all our teammates and the Lancashire supporters who stood by me through triumphs and trials. Cricket has always been a team game, and my name on this stand reflects all the people who helped me along the way.”
Lloyd, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, had a long and successful stint at Lancashire, playing 219 first-class matches for the club from 1968 to 1986, scoring 12,764 runs and taking 55 wickets. In List A cricket, he added 8,522 runs and 60 wickets, playing a key role in Lancashire’s dominance in the one-day format—helping them win two One-Day League titles (1969, 1970) and four Gillette Cups (1970–1975). His 126 in the 1972 final against Warwickshire at Lord’s remains one of his most iconic innings.
With this honour, Farokh Engineer’s legacy is now cemented not only in Indian cricket history but also in the heart of English county cricket—a testament to his contributions both on and off the field.
