Opinion: 'Kaptaan' Imran Khan faces tough 'Test' in new innings
Imran Khan
The ex-Pak captain struggled for 22 years to come out on top in politics, a rare fighting quality.
Imran Khan, a former cricketer and philanthropist, is now set to be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. However, it remains to be seen whether Imran, who displayed greatskills on the cricket field,can spin a similar turnaround for his nation in his new political innings.
Previously, none of Pakistan's PMshas been able to complete a full termbut for a batsman who has completed a glorious 277 cricket innings (126 Test and 151 ODIs), would most certainly know how to strategise a five-year prime ministerial innings.
It has been widely said that Imran has been close to Pakistan's Army which has often trampled over democracy in the country and engineered several coups.
But it is just like forecasting the total score in a first-class match on the basis of understanding pitch's behaviour and past records which is inappropriate without knowing the player's intent and hard work.
It is expected that Imran Khan, who has achieved the "all-rounder's triple" (securing 3000 runs and 300 wickets) will fight all odds to channelise his ideology in the right direction to increase Pakistan's development "strike rate".
Imran is not the first cricketer-turned-politician, surprisingly, even former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also played cricket before entering the political arena. However, Imran is the only World Cup winning skipper who is now set to be the head of a state.
Khan made his first-class cricket debut at the age of 16 in Lahore and used to play for Lahore A, Lahore B, Lahore Greens and Lahore. He was also part of University of Oxford's Blues Cricket team during the 1973–1975 seasons.
He made his Test debut against England in 1971 at Edgbaston and after three years, he debuted in the One-Day International (ODI) match, again playing against England for the Prudential Trophy.
Imran played his last Test match for Pakistan in January 1992, against Sri Lanka at Faisalabad and retired permanently from cricket six months after his last ODI - the historic 1992 World Cup final triumph against England at Melbourne in Australia.
The World Cup victory was arguably the best thing that happened to Imran and it was an apt "retirement gift".
However, the great Pathan was never a person to sit on his laurels. The ex-Pak captain struggled for 22 years to come out on top in politics, a rare fighting quality.
To lead a country with a population of approximately 20 crores which is scattered in 156 districts is going to be difficult as compared to leading an 11-man team that consists of players of different temperaments.
The upcoming inning is going to be the most difficult of his entire career, but Pakistanis have trusted him more over other political dynasties and voted him as the "captain of Pakistan", yet again.
... And 'Kaptaan' Imran Khan, is all padded up to play his best innings to win the match.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)