October 31, 2002	Thursday	Sha’aban 24,1423

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KARACHI, Oct 30: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)’s management has decided against renewing contracts of three current Test cricketers.

All-rounders Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and batsman Yousuf Youhana, all of whom were on PIA’s payroll since 1999, were not given fresh contracts after their previous ones expired last month.

Instead, PIA has opted to sign on young batsman Bazid Khan, son of ex-Test captain Majid, slow left-armer Azam Hussain and left-hander opener Kamran Sajid.

Razzaq, Azhar and Youhana who were drawing Group Six salaries plus other perks, had not played regularly for the national carrier in the national cricket championships for a variety of reasons.

Tight international schedule was one major factor. But on the other hand, even when available, they seldom responded to the call and failed to represent PIA in key matches.

This has been a major complaint from other departments as well who often feel let down by their star players. After all, these organization were dishing out handsome package to the top cricketers on a monthly basis.

Razzaq, for instance, had barely featured in 10-12 first-class and one-day matches during his three-year spell with PIA.

Saeed Anwar, the Test reject, is another player who has not been a regular in the ADBP team despite being on its payroll for more than a decade.

PIA, arguably the most star-studded side on domestic circuit, still has the likes of Wasim Akram (Group Eight), Moin Khan (Group Six) — both employed on permanent basis — Saqlain Mushtaq (Group Six — contractual), Faisal Iqbal, Shoaib Malik, Fazle Akbar and Mohammad Zahid in their cricket squad.