THE South African-born test cricket all-rounder Basil D’ Oliveira has died in England (Nov 20). Since his country of birth did not accept him in their cricket team, being classified as mixed race, D’ Oliveira migrated to England where he succeeded in getting selected for the team.

Apartheid was abolished in South Africa following the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990. Before this, only white teams comprising England, Australia and New Zealand would play test cricket with South Africa. However, in 1966, these teams also stopped playing with South Africa when the English team’s tour to that country was suddenly called off due to the inclusion of D’ Oliveira in England’s cricket eleven.

The South Africans were not willing to either take him in their test-playing eleven nor play with any country having him in the team. This incident brought so much criticism against the South African government’s racist policy from all the cricket-playing countries that Basil D’ Oliveira immediately became a living legend.

The English cricket team, including D’ Oliveira, visited Pakistan soon thereafter. Being an ardent cricket fan, I could not resist thetemptation of meeting D’ Oliveira when the team came to Lahore. I requested him for an autograph, which he obliged. I found him to be a kind person and a fine gentleman.

PARVEZ RAHIMKarachi