Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram has expressed his astonishment and disappointment following the exclusion of iconic cricketer Imran Khan from a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) video that celebrates the historic accomplishments of the national cricket team since its establishment in 1952.
In the past 48 hours, the PCB has come under intense criticism from fans and cricket enthusiasts alike for their omission of one of the sport’s all-time greats. The absence of Imran Khan, who played an instrumental role in shaping Pakistan’s cricketing legacy, has sparked outrage among cricket fans.
After discovering the omission, Wasim Akram took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to share his sentiments. “After enduring long flights and hours of travel to reach Sri Lanka, I was taken aback when I watched the PCB’s brief video about the history of Pakistan cricket—a video that conspicuously lacked the presence of the illustrious Imran Khan,” Akram lamented.
Despite any differences in political views, Wasim Akram emphasized that it is impossible to disregard Imran Khan’s immense contribution to the sport of cricket. He urged the PCB to remove the video and issue an apology for the oversight. Wasim Akram acknowledged that Imran Khan’s leadership not only enhanced Pakistan’s cricketing prowess but also played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s identity. He stated, “Setting political disagreements aside, Imran Khan remains a global cricket icon who transformed Pakistan into a formidable cricketing unit during his era and provided us with a clear direction… The PCB should promptly remove the video and extend a sincere apology.”
Imran Khan, who is widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished cricket captains, led the national team to its historic victory in the 1992 World Cup. In addition to his on-field achievements, he played a crucial role in mentoring and nurturing future cricketing legends like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Moin Khan.
While Imran Khan’s cricketing prowess earned him numerous accolades, he transitioned into the realm of politics after retiring from cricket. Currently, he is serving a prison sentence of three years following his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case. Moreover, the election commission has disqualified him from running for office for a period of five years.
Throughout his illustrious cricketing career, Imran Khan represented Pakistan in 88 Test matches and 175 One Day Internationals (ODIs). His remarkable averages of 37 with the bat and 22 with the ball solidified his position as one of the most distinguished all-rounders of his time. Notably, during the latter part of his international cricket tenure, Imran Khan averaged an astonishing 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball in 51 Test matches.
One of the crowning moments of Imran Khan’s career occurred when he led Pakistan to its inaugural series victory in England in 1987. However, his most celebrated achievement was captaining the team to victory in the 1992 World Cup, a triumph that will forever be etched in cricketing history.
Read more: Imran Khan’s Absence Sparks Controversy in PCB’s Cricket History Video
Wasim Akram’s reaction to Imran Khan’s exclusion from the PCB video underscores the sentiment shared by cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Regardless of differences, Imran Khan’s contributions to cricket and Pakistan’s cricketing legacy are undeniable, warranting the acknowledgement he deserves.
