A FEW days ago I was watching on PTV Sports the highlights of an old cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa being played in Abu Dhabi in 2010. The South African team had set a target of 287 runs and in pursuit of this target the Pakistani team lost six wickets for just 135 runs.

At this crucial moment, Abur Razaaq came and blasted away. Razaaq had played one of the memorable innings of his life and scored 109 runs with 10 lofty sixes. Pakistan had won the match by one wicket but the way Razaaq took the team home was a treat to watch.

Not only in this match, there are many important matches in which Razaaq played exceptional cricket.

It is most unfortunate that this player is no more part of our team. In the last two home series the selectors did not find him suitable for the matches. It has become a routine that the cricket team is purely selected on personal likes and dislikes. The players with good connections with the management find their place in the team. Many promising players lost their career due to this poor system. The present dismal situation of our team is mainly attributed to ignoring talent. The PCB should look into the matter and evolve a system where talents can be groomed.

AAMIR IQBAL Islamabad