There can be a healthy debate on whether or not Imran Khan Niazi, former Pakistani captain is the all times greatest all rounder. Is he on top of the quartet of all-rounders leaving Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev behind? Maybe his critics can oppose that just comparing the number of wickets or the runs. But if you consider Imran’s ability to lead the team (a team like Pakistan!) from the front, his enviable success story or even his off the field performance, no doubt he is steps ahead from his three other companions in terms of being famous and celebrity.
Imran’s way to the world cricket was like a story. He hardly played any domestic cricket in Pakistan. But he had a cousin like Majid Khan who played for Pakistan team and could back him up to the competitive level. Also Imran went to England for his higher studies from where he excelled his cricket life. In fact, that helped him a lot to be a world class cricketer. When Imran Khan started his career in 1971 he was merely a medium fast bowler. But he became faster with time which is completely unusual with the craft of fast bowling. Khan mastered the art of reverse swing with his real fast deliveries. With that lethal weapon he actually rattled many world class batsmen. And he was always a batsman who you could rely on. There were many occasions when Imran in the crunch moment of his team hit back the opponent bowling attack.
Imran was made the captain of Pakistan in 1982. He was successful to infiltrate his own attacking spirit inside his team-mates instead of the desire of individual achievement. He led his team against the Aussies and beat them three times in a row in 1982-83 series. He also had the victory against India on their home soil. In 1987 under Imran’s leadership Pakistan saw their first series victory in England. Finally in 1992 despite the topsy-turvy start in the world cup Imran led his team to be the world champion.
Imran’s way to the world cricket was like a story. He hardly played any domestic cricket in Pakistan. But he had a cousin like Majid Khan who played for Pakistan team and could back him up to the competitive level. Also Imran went to England for his higher studies from where he excelled his cricket life. In fact, that helped him a lot to be a world class cricketer. When Imran Khan started his career in 1971 he was merely a medium fast bowler. But he became faster with time which is completely unusual with the craft of fast bowling. Khan mastered the art of reverse swing with his real fast deliveries. With that lethal weapon he actually rattled many world class batsmen. And he was always a batsman who you could rely on. There were many occasions when Imran in the crunch moment of his team hit back the opponent bowling attack.
Imran was made the captain of Pakistan in 1982. He was successful to infiltrate his own attacking spirit inside his team-mates instead of the desire of individual achievement. He led his team against the Aussies and beat them three times in a row in 1982-83 series. He also had the victory against India on their home soil. In 1987 under Imran’s leadership Pakistan saw their first series victory in England. Finally in 1992 despite the topsy-turvy start in the world cup Imran led his team to be the world champion.
Off the field Imran Khan always was on focus of media. He married Jemima Golds
mith, daughter of the late multi millionaire, Sir James Goldsmith in 1995. The marriage incurred a lot of criticism in the western media. And in the end on June 22, 2004 Imran Khan and Jemima divorced, ending their nine-year marriage life. Imran also became controversial after his fight with Ian Botham regarding the ball tampering case. His alleged affairs with socialite ladies in UK also made him prominent.
mith, daughter of the late multi millionaire, Sir James Goldsmith in 1995. The marriage incurred a lot of criticism in the western media. And in the end on June 22, 2004 Imran Khan and Jemima divorced, ending their nine-year marriage life. Imran also became controversial after his fight with Ian Botham regarding the ball tampering case. His alleged affairs with socialite ladies in UK also made him prominent.
In 1996 in Lahore Imran opened his cancer hospital Shaukat Khanum memorial hospital which was built after his mother’s name. Imran just after the 92 world cup vowed to build this hospital after seeing his mother dying from cancer. He traveled countries and collected 4 million dollars in just 45 days which clearly reflected his popularity.
The success of Imran Khan in the cricket field was not quite transformed in the field of politics when he founded his own political party called the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996. Khan and members of his party were universally defeated at the polls in the 1997 general elections. In 2002, the party won 0.8% of the popular vote and only one out of 272 open seats. In 2007, Khan joined 85 other MPs to resign from Parliament in protest of the Presidential election scheduled for October 6.
Imran Khan was one of the finest cricketers Pakistan has ever produced but he was the biggest heart-throb that is for sure. He gave cricket in the subcontinent real sex appeal in the 1970s and 1980s. Not only in the subcontinent, was Khan also a regular subject of the British tabloids because of his activities in UK. He produced a lot of controversies and rumors during those days that eventually made him a CELEBRITY in real sense
.
The success of Imran Khan in the cricket field was not quite transformed in the field of politics when he founded his own political party called the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996. Khan and members of his party were universally defeated at the polls in the 1997 general elections. In 2002, the party won 0.8% of the popular vote and only one out of 272 open seats. In 2007, Khan joined 85 other MPs to resign from Parliament in protest of the Presidential election scheduled for October 6.
Imran Khan was one of the finest cricketers Pakistan has ever produced but he was the biggest heart-throb that is for sure. He gave cricket in the subcontinent real sex appeal in the 1970s and 1980s. Not only in the subcontinent, was Khan also a regular subject of the British tabloids because of his activities in UK. He produced a lot of controversies and rumors during those days that eventually made him a CELEBRITY in real sense.
1 comment:
Nabil
I can understand th entry on Imran Khan, and the one on the Italian beauty suggests some wishful thinking but I don't really understand the reliance on You Tube. It's a good idea but for it work you have to provide some information about why you have chosen these excerpts. The Jackie Chan fights is fascinating and some explanation as to why they appeal to you as a young filmmaker is required. I can't say I find the other examples rivetting but they must have some meaning for you. What is it?
Mark: B
Post a Comment