The present Pakistan team have a role model. Can they rise to emulate the great Majid?
KARACHI: With the recent pathetic display of our batting line-up, let me dwell on another time, another team and another decade. The finest cricketer that I know of was the majestic Majid Khan. The world of cricket, perhaps, may never have known a more perfect gentleman. I remember Majid and his grace; time is not material here because the values are eternal. Pakistan was touring Australia. I got up at four in the morning to watch the match. It was as cold as a Lahori winter can get. In my small apartment in the Al-Ghani building, a light was burning. I got up, made a cup of doodh patti and settled down to watch the match. Majestic Majid was batting. Dennis Lillee bowled him a bouncer and Majid hooked it for a six. What followed is memorable. Majid took off his hat — there were no helmets then — and he took a deep bow in acknowledgement of Lillee. Even today, this graceful gesture warms my heart. Majid exemplified the best traditions of Lahore — large heartedness, courage and a generosity of spirit.
The present Pakistan team have a role model. Can they rise to emulate the great Majid? I wish I could watch videos of Majid in action but YouTube is banned in the country and the authorities have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.
Iqbal Ismail
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2013.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
