In celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) omitted former all-rounder Imran Khan from its celebratory video.
A 2.21-minute documentary about Pakistan’s achievements in cricket, released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on 76th Independence Day, has faced severe backlash from experts and fans. However, it omitted Imran Khan, the country’s greatest ever captain and 1992 World Cup winner.
As soon as the video was uploaded to the PCB’s official social media accounts, Pakistan cricket fans reacted angrily.
Making history isn't just about one day, it's about the legends we create and the tales we script 💫
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 14, 2023
🏆 Pakistan Cricket Team – a legacy that echoes through time 🌟#BeyondJustOneDay pic.twitter.com/grC0YVC5Xi
The Legacy of Imran Khan
Imran Khan has left an indelible mark on the sport of cricket with his remarkable achievements and contributions. During his illustrious career, Imran played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs for Pakistan. With an average of 37 with the bat and 22 with the ball, he was regarded as one of the best all-rounders in an era that included Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev among others.
Imran Khan played 51 Tests during his international cricket career, averaging 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball. His consistency and mastery of both aspects of the game set him apart from his peers. As an all-rounder, he was unmatched.
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Khan’s legacy goes beyond statistics. He led Pakistan to their first series victory in England in 1987, establishing his reputation as a captain who could inspire his team. He became a legend of cricket when he led the Men in Green to victory in the 1992 World Cup, cementing his place in history.
Pakistan won the ICC Cricket World title only once under Imran Khan’s captaincy in 1992. The PCB, which is now run by PPP nominee Zaka Ashraf, appears to have intentionally omitted Imran Khan from its video, showing how even the cricketing body has been badly politicized or influenced.
Cricket experts and fans have lambasted the PCB for its disgraceful and biased treatment of Iman Khan – who is currently imprisoned in Attock Jail.
Pathetic!!!!! This is not our history. Its INCOMPLETE without IMRAN KHAN, the only world cup that you celebrate, is because of his captaincy. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!
— Mehvish Ali (@GMehvishali) August 14, 2023
76 saal ki cricket history @ImranKhanPTI kay baghair kaisi likhi jaa sakti hai? Khan ko delete kar k aap nai apna qad kam kar liya hai, history tu apni jaga rahay gee.🤷♀️🤷♀️ https://t.co/HiaMuUlxyU
— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) August 14, 2023
What’s the state of Pakistan 76 years to the day it became a country?
— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) August 14, 2023
The captain of the 1992 team, that led the country to its only WC victory, is not pictured in this video about Pakistani cricket’s legacy.
A video from the official Pakistani Cricket account. https://t.co/3CVfduTN0g
Is that one day maybe 25 March 1992? Or some other day? This day? https://t.co/alUa3x6ofe pic.twitter.com/GS2T83hZfA
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) August 14, 2023
Imran Khan who gave world cricket the concept of neutral umpires for the first time
— Asif Ali (@asifbhandari) August 14, 2023
– The Imran Khan who told the world how to reverse swing with an old ball
– The Imran Khan who made Pakistan's cricket team the number one team in the world and won the World Cup. Today, how can… https://t.co/7lZPKB1vou
