Cricket legend to star politician! Prolific journey of Imran Khan, Pakistan’s ‘captain-in-waiting’

— By FPJ Web Desk | Jul 27, 2018 11:50 am

AFP PHOTO / Stephen DUPONT

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief Imran Khan is bringing the dream of a new Pakistan, promising democracy and pitching himself as the country’s first prime minister who will complete a full term. He was a champion between the 22 yards and now he is the champion of Pakistan politics, who is set to be new ‘captain’ of the country. As per the latest reports, PTI is leading on 119 of the total 272 seats in National Assembly. Here we see Imran Khan’s journey who started off as a cricketer.

Imran Khan started his career as a cricketer of Pakistan national cricket team. Khan made his Test debut in 1971 against England in Birmingham where he failed to make a mark due to his not-so-good performance. He, notably, led Pakistan to victory at the 1992 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan’s first and only victory in that competition. Imran was chosen as the captain of the cricket team in 1982. He performed stupendously as an all-rounder, leading his team to its first Test victory against England, at Lord’s, after 28 years. Though he retired in 1987, he returned back in 1988 upon President General Zia-ul-Haq’s request. Khan retired from cricket in 1992 as one of Pakistan’s most successful players.

He started his venture outside cricket in 1997 when he entered in politics by setting up his own party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as an initiative to eradicate mismanagement and corruption in his country. But to note, his venture outside cricket was less than successful as he entered the political fray and could not for more than one reason make a huge impression on the people through his party. Apart from his supremacy in cricket, Imran is fondly remembered for his charitable work. Since retiring, Khan has written opinion pieces on cricket for various British and Asian newspapers, especially regarding the Pakistani national team.

In 2002, he contested the election and was elected as a Member Parliament from Mianwali. In 2013, during the 2013 election campaign, Imran started ‘Naya Pakistan Resolution’ which became a threat to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). However, initially, his party lost to PML-N. And now today, Imran Khan is regarded as a frontrunner for the position of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Interesting to note, the victory of Khan would mean the end to decades of domination by the Bhutto and Sharif families. Members of both the families have either served as Prime Minister or President for half the time since 1970.