Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan is the only captain to lead his national side to an ODI World Cup victory. During his playing days, he alongside the likes of Kapil Dev, Sir Ian Botham, and Sir Richard Hadlee used to have a Fab 4 contest. Despite announcing retirement in 1987, Khan made his comeback on the insistence of none other than military ruler, Zia-ul-Haq.
Five years later in 1992, the 71-year-old led the team to a maiden ODI World Cup win. This continues to be their only 50-over World Cup win, having played the final in 1999. Since then, the team hasn’t been able to reach the final. Meanwhile, after his cricket career ended, the Lahore player decided to enter the field of politics.
Fast forward to 2024, the former Pakistan all-rounder has been jailed for 21 years due to multiple law and order violations. However, his political party supporters still have a lot of faith in him. Meanwhile, during a Pakistan Super League 2024 game, a fan was arrested for chanting Imran Khan’s name.
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Police arresting PSL fan for chanting Imran Khan #PSL9Updates #PSL9 #PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/v4j4pEcupL
— Farzan Ali Baloch (@farzan_ali_B) February 18, 2024
Imran Khan suggested me to captain Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi
Meanwhile, PSL holders’ Lahore Qalandars‘ skipper, before the ongoing PSL 9 revealed that he was asked by Khan to lead the team. Before the 2022 season, when the team lifted their maiden PSL title, played only one final. Two years back, Afridi started leading the team and now has two titles to their name.
“I have not captained at any age level, really, maybe once at Under-19 level,” Shaheen told ESPNcricinfo. “I never even had an interest in captaincy. But then in 2021, I was sitting in the PM office with Sameen bhai [Lahore Qalandars owner] and Aqib Javed, and Imran Khan [then Pakistan Prime Minister] suggested that I be appointed captain. Obviously, you can never say no to Imran bhai. After that I became captain of Lahore. I was vice-captain, but when Imran bhai said I should be captain, that’s when the change happened.”
