Imran Khan An adornment of cricket

Premasara Epasinghe

Recently, I was interviewed by a popular TV channel in their breakfast show. The young charming presenter asked me a question.

"You have been an internationally reputed cricket commentator. You commentated, may be, for more than four decades. My question is, who is your Best All Round Cricketer and your Idol or Icon? Why?"

I replied: "Imran Khan - Pakistan."

This great cricketer - All Rounder Imran Khan, is from Lahore, Dawood. He played for the prestigious University of Oxford (Oldest University in Britain. It was developed from a group of Teachers in Oxford, in 12th century. First colleges university, Balliol and Merton, were founded between 1249 and 1264. The colleges quickly increased in number and became almost autonomous. Women were not admitted until 1878). Worcestershire, PIA, Sussex and NSW (CY 1983).

This, charismatic, educated, charming, handsome cricketer made his First class debut in 1969-1970. He toured England in 1971. He played his first Test at the age of 19 years. Imran Khan represented Oxford University from 1973-1975 and had the proud distinction of captaining Oxford University.

I remember Imran captaining a Combined Oxbrige side in 1974, against India. He blasted the Indian attack scoring 160 and 49. In 1976, he gained his "county cap" for Worcestershire. The county town Hereford and Worcester are situated on the River Sever, West Central England.

Imran Khan was born on November 25, 1952 in Pakistan. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is one of the leading countries in Asia. Pakistan divides into tour Provinces namely Baluchistan, North West Frontier, Punjab and Sind.

Khan's belong to the blue-blooded. They are smart and possess attractive personalities. Imran was born in Lahore, knows as the "Garden City of Pakistan" which boasts of a very proud history during Moghul Period.

Sri Lankans will all remember Lahore, the venue they won their first

World Cup in 1996 beating Australia by 7 wickets, captained by Arjuna Ranatunge - the gutty fighter, like Imran Khan. Presently both are politicians.

Selecting cricket's top Test all rounders is a hard task like selecting a World XI. An all-rounder must be a "Three-in-one", where his statistics must be of very high standard as a batsman, bowler and fielder or for that matter wicket-keeper cum batsman. In my opinion Noble, Faulkner, Miller, Mankad, Benaud, Sobers, Botham, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Hadlee, Shane Warne, Kapil Dev, Kallis, Flintoff, Daniel Vettori belongs this category.

Only SL player, who can be named as an Test All rounder is the newly appointed Fast Bowling Coach unassuming gentleman Chaminda Vaas with 2815 runs and 331 wickets. I congratulate Chaminda Vaas on his new appointment.

Imran Khan, a highly educated management scholar, a fine speaker, lecturer is fearless and brave, like legendary Genghis Khan.

At forty (40), Imran, hung his cricket boots after scoring 3807 runs at 37.69, in 88 Tests. He scored six centuries, highest being 136. He captured 362 wickets at 22.81 - best effort 8 for 58. Imran held 28 catches.

Imran was among four All-Rounders - Botham, Kapil Dev, Richard Hadlee to achieve Test Double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets. His figures were equally impressive in ODI's too. 3709 runs - at 33.41 and 182 wickets at 26.61 in 175 matches.

I first met him, at the CCC grounds when he toured Sri Lanka. The second occasion was at Sharjah, in 1998. He visited the Press Box and told the Pressmen, that he is putting up a cancer hospital in his mother's name. The third and the last time I met him, was on 17th March 1996, at the Finals of 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka versus Australia. He came to Sri Lanka Commentary Box and we had a friendly chat.

Imran Khan was always a news maker. He married Jemima Goldsmith and later divorced her. He took upto politics. In 2007, President Pervez Musharaff arrested him.

His greatest achievement was the annexing of the Cricket World Cup on 1992 March 25 in front of 90,000 spectators at the MCG when he led Pakistan to victory against England. The book makers suggested that there were no chances at all for a Pakistan victory. But, Imran was determined to show the world, that his proud country Pakistan are the champions. He and his proud Pakistan Team, fought hard and won the cricket supremacy. Imran was the real hero. They had a disastrous start in losing four matches out of five.

From then onwards, they scored five victories. In the final, this inspiring leader Imran top scored with 72 and he added 139 runs with the experienced former captain work-horse Javed Miandad.

Presently, Imran is in a different game, politics. He is in politics for the past decade. His party is called Teherik-E-in-Saf (PTI). "The Pakistan Movement for Fair-Play and Justice".

In a recent Forecast conducted by PEW on Pakistan's next elections, the survey showed Imran Khan's preferential percentage stands at 70%. Comparing with Imran, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Usuf Rasa Gilani (36%) President Asif Ali Sardhari (14%).

According to Professor Mohamad Wasim of Political Science at the University of Lahore, predicts, due to Imran's anti-corruption policies and his anti-American policies, although popular among the middle class society, he is not so popular among the average villagers. There are 272 seats in the National State Assembly of Parliament. Prof Mohamad Wasim thinks that Imran may win about thirty seats (30). Anyhow, like cricket, you cannot predict the ultimate winner. That's how the game of politics also goes.

If Imran Khan becomes the Prime Minister of Pakistan it will be a unique record, as there is not a single Test Cricketer in the world who became a Prime Minister.

Wish Imran Good Luck!