Machar
Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Imran Khan is my childhood hero, reveals Lakshmipathy Balaji Cricket News Update
Indias medium-fast bowler, Lakshmipathy Balaji, has revealed that Imran Khan is his childhood hero and expressed that meeting the former Pakistan captain in 2003-04 was like a dream come true for him.
From 1971 to 1992, the cricketer turned politician represented his country in 88 Tests and 175 One Day Internationals (ODIs), picking up more than five hundred victims at the ultimate stage of the game and having in excess of 7500 runs under his belt. The former World Cup winning captain of Pakistan is surely one of the greatest all-rounders of the history of the game, along with Sir Garfield Sobers, Jacques Kallis and Richard Hadlee.
While speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the Indian cricketer expressed that Imran was his idol and he loved his performances in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992, which was jointly held in Australia and New Zealand, with the Green Shirts clinching the title for the very first time.
He was one cricketer I had heard a lot about during my formative years. I enjoyed watching him during the 1992 World Cup final, Balaji said. As a ten-year-old, I would try to imitate his action. I read about him and took posters of his from old Sportstar magazines that I found at used-book shops.
Balaji was a part of Indias squad during their tour of Pakistan in 2003-04, where the fast bowler had the opportunity to meet the legendary cricketer.
He added, So it was nice to meet him in person on India's 2003-04 tour of Pakistan. I could not stop telling him how fascinating a bowler he was for me while growing up. It was a dream come true for me to meet him.
Imran is without doubt one of the most popular personalities of the sub-continent as he opened a cancer hospital in Lahore after retiring from competitive cricket in 1992. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust remains the only cancer hospital in the country.
At the present moment, the 60-year-old former cricketer is one of the leading politicians in Pakistan, as he heads Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, one of the mainstream political parties, expecting success in the upcoming general elections.
http://blogs.bettor.com/Imran-Khan-...kshmipathy-Balaji-Cricket-News-Update-a209413
