LET me recollect another time, another team, and another decade. The finest cricketer that I know of was  Majid Khan. The world of cricket will perhaps never have known a more perfect gentleman.

I remember Majid and his grace time is not material here because values are eternal. Pakistan was touring Australia; I got up at four in the morning to watch the TV. It was as cold as Lahore winter can get. In my small flat in Al- Ghani building a light was burning. I got up, made a cup ‘doodh patti’ and settled down to watch the match. Majestic Majid was bating. Lillee bowled him a bouncer, Majid hooked it for six. What followed is memorable.

Majid took off his hat; there were no helmets then and he took a deep bow in acknowledgment of Lillee. Even today this grace warms me and I can see and feel that there is yet a hope for Pakistan.

Majid exemplified the best traditions of Lahore: large- heartedness, courage and no meanness. When a Punjabi is good, he is very, very good. When he descends to parochialism, he crosses over the limits. The present Pakistan team has a role model. Can they rise to emulate the great Majid?

Majid was the first cousin of the great Captain Imran Khan who also shares the same values.

I wish I could share with you videos of Majid in action, but YouTube is banned and the authorities have thrown the baby out with bathwater.

IQBAL ISMAIL Karachi