The Cricketing Achievements of Imran Khan: Much Bigger Than The World Cup

[Musafir123]

If a diehard English cricket fan picks the 10 greatest English cricketers of all time, there would be no place for Paul Collingwood in top 10, who is the only English captain to win an ICC trophy. Once, 25 greatest cricketers of all time were picked, Clive Lloyd was not in the list who has won 2 ODI World Cups as captain.

Though Stephen Fleming has won an ICC trophy as captain but Sir Richard Hadlee is still considered as the greatest cricketer to have ever played from New Zealand. No doubt, winning a major ODI tournament is a massive achievement for any country but its not the only achievement that can change a cricketer from a superstar to a legend. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, the achievements of an iconic cricketer are often questioned by the fans.

The iconic cricketer is none other than the legendary Imran Khan, who has won an ODI World Cup like Lloyd and who was as brilliant individual as Botham. Still, some Pakistani fans always question about his credentials. Some fans believe that Imran had achieved only 40 % of greatness before winning the World Cup and the World Cup victory made him a complete legend. The truth is that winning the World Cup was just another chapter of Imrans greatness. It could be said that it was the best chapter but it was not the only one. Imran had definitely achieved the ultimate level of greatness way before winning the World Cup.

Some cricketers just change the dynamics of cricket and their impact as a cricketer makes them different from the others. Thats why they are called the greats. Why Imran was a legend even before winning the World Cup. We all know how his leadership won the World Cup for Pakistan, everyone knows how he polished the different young players of Pakistan, but Imran as an individual star is the debate which has been started by many cricket fans in Pakistan.

Here is an illustration of how Imran became a legend before winning the World Cup and how his performances became a landmark in the Pakistan Cricket History.

Being an ordinary player in his initial cricketing years, his breakthrough came when Pakistan registered its first ever test win on Australian soil as Imran ripped through the Aussies with 12 wickets at the SCG. 25 wickets in 5-test series in the Caribbean followed this. Then, the famous Karachi Test vs India, Pakistan had to chase 164 in 100 minutes and the turning point was a four and two sixes hit by Imran to Indian skipper Bishan Bedi.

Now, started the unstoppable Imran. His first player of the series award came against Windies at home, which also included his first Test hundred and a Player of the Series award against Australia in their own backyard. Imran was still hungry as he took the player of the preliminary series award in the Benson & Hedges Triangular in Australia with 211 runs & 15 wickets.

Now, Imran as a captain: The world had already seen Ian Botham failing as a captain but Imran responded in style. 7 wickets in an innings at Edgbaston, then came the famous triumph at Lords. The decider was at Headingly Leeds, which was won by England by 3 wickets. Imran was again superb with both bat & ball, 67 not out & 46 & 8 wickets in the match were just amazing from Imran. Pakistan lost the series 2-1 but the intentions of Imran were positive. The player of the series was once again Imran Khan with 212 runs & 21 wickets. Then the Aussies were whitewashed 3-0 in the test series in Pakistan.

The home series against India made Imran a true giant of the game. 40 wickets in the 6 match series and a 100 in Faisalabad gave him yet another player of the series award as Pakistan won the series 3-0.

A stress fracture in the shin kept him out of cricket for the most part of next 2 years though he played some of the matches during this period. Imran decided to play as a batsman in the 1983 WC. It was tough for Pakistan to compete without the bowling of Imran but still Pakistan qualified for the semis.

Imran showed his commitment with two brilliant fifties and also scored Pakistans first World Cup century. Imran came back with his bowling against Sri Lanka when he took 17 wickets at home and 15 in Sri Lanka.

Then, his first major ODI title as captain: the Austral-Asia Cup. Another player of the series award in tests vs West Indies at home. This was followed by Pakistans first ever test series victory on Indian soil and once again Imran was player of the series. The ODI series was a cakewalk for Pakistan as Indians lost 5-1 at home. And, then he finally conquered England on the English soil as Imran not only won the series but also pocketed another player of the series award.

A famous Pepsi poster featuring Imran (1988)

The tragedy of 1987 World Cup happened as Imran took 17 wickets in the Reliance World Cup but it was a sad end to a glorious cricketing career. Imran coming back from retirement and that famous drawn test series in the Caribbean as Pakistan became the first team to win a test in Caribbean since 78 and the first team to draw the series since 1973/74. Once again, Imran was the man of the series.

Austral; Asia Cup: Pakistan defeated Australia at Sharjah

The famous Six-Nation triumph came in India when Imran inspired Pakistan to win the Nehru Cup title. Imran was no more a lethal bowler as he was once but the way he batted was magnificent as he took 4 Man of the match awards out of 5 victories for Pakistan in Nehru Cup. With 252 runs and 6 wickets, he was once again the player of the series. Another Austral-Asia Cup title was won by Imran led Pakistan team in 1990.

With 2 Austral-Asia Cup titles, a Six-Nation ODI tournament victory, the 5-1 series victory in India, first ever test series victories on Indian & English soil, famous drawn test series in West Indies and consistent performances as an Individual prove that Imran was a cricketer above excellence. 8 players of the series awards from 28 series were just more than exceptional as he was carrying the added burden of captaincy as well.

Another special thing about Imran was his spectacular performances all over the world. Out of his 8 player of the series awards, 5 were overseas, 4 were achieved outside Asia & 6 were achieved as captain.

At times, a complete batsman for Pakistan, a genuine fast bowler, one of the 6 greatest all rounders of all time, the captain who changed the approach of the team, Imran Khan was way ahead of some of his contemporaries.

The success in the 1992 World Cup was a milestone in the history of Pakistan cricket but for Imran it was like the 10th level of greatness as he had already achieved the 9 levels.

Source:http://www.greenteam92.com/the-cricketing-achievements-of-imran-khan-much-bigger-than-the-world-cup/

 

[Farooq Ahmad]

It is called boosting and bragging. Self praising is far better word for this specific attitude. His presence on social and electronic media is an apt example of nefarious mindset it is evident that he behaves like a file not like a rank. It is obvious from his politics and general cognitively that he is a mediocre mentality politician whose only aim is to highlight himself on any cost. No matter he is mud slinging or uttering nonsense. He wants to be in media whether people like him or not . Serenity and sanguine thoughts are not his problem. He never has got iota of gumption to judge the pulse of masses. He decided to join Pervez Musharaf for the sole purpose of reaching to high throne , later he lamented on his decision. He boycotted 2008 elections without any valid reason. He started dancing on the tunes of establishment thus declared a puppet. He was badly used by establishment and was thrown in the dustbin . He is ever ready to lick the boots even on the cost of his political career. A maniac being used by JKT , Aleem Khan and many other people who are in politics merely to hide their black spots and ill gotten wealth . Imran Khan has provided them an umbrella. He has brainwashed youth to use them for his nefarious purposes.

 

[Shahid Abassi]

In the last 10 years of his career, Imran as captain of Pakistan had a batting average of 50+ and a bowling average of under 22.
And it was an era of great bowlers, where only four or five batsmen could manage a batting average of 50+ and include names like Miandad, Gavaskar and Richards.
His captaincy was so good that Dicky Bird would choose him as captain of his world eleven. Bird said, "I could select Imran only as captain even if he couldn't bat or bowl".

 

[wadda.chaudhry]

is ko PCB ka chairman bana do.
Its best suited position matching his resume

 

[akmal1]

is ko PCB ka chairman bana do.
Its best suited position matching his resume

اس منطق سے تو نواز شریف چپڑاسی بھی نہیں لگ سکتا. وہ تو ہر شعبے میں شدید نالائق ہے

 

[akmal1]

It is called boosting and bragging. Self praising is far better word for this specific attitude. His presence on social and electronic media is an apt example of nefarious mindset it is evident that he behaves like a file not like a rank. It is obvious from his politics and general cognitively that he is a mediocre mentality politician whose only aim is to highlight himself on any cost. No matter he is mud slinging or uttering nonsense. He wants to be in media whether people like him or not . Serenity and sanguine thoughts are not his problem. He never has got iota of gumption to judge the pulse of masses. He decided to join Pervez Musharaf for the sole purpose of reaching to high throne , later he lamented on his decision. He boycotted 2008 elections without any valid reason. He started dancing on the tunes of establishment thus declared a puppet. He was badly used by establishment and was thrown in the dustbin . He is ever ready to lick the boots even on the cost of his political career. A maniac being used by JKT , Aleem Khan and many other people who are in politics merely to hide their black spots and ill gotten wealth . Imran Khan has provided them an umbrella. He has brainwashed youth to use them for his nefarious purposes.

یہ کیا فضولیات لکھ دی ہیں؟ سب مفروضے اور کہانیاں ہیں

 

[NAWAZNOORA]

It is called boosting and bragging. Self praising is far better word for this specific attitude. His presence on social and electronic media is an apt example of nefarious mindset it is evident that he behaves like a file not like a rank. It is obvious from his politics and general cognitively that he is a mediocre mentality politician whose only aim is to highlight himself on any cost. No matter he is mud slinging or uttering nonsense. He wants to be in media whether people like him or not . Serenity and sanguine thoughts are not his problem. He never has got iota of gumption to judge the pulse of masses. He decided to join Pervez Musharaf for the sole purpose of reaching to high throne , later he lamented on his decision. He boycotted 2008 elections without any valid reason. He started dancing on the tunes of establishment thus declared a puppet. He was badly used by establishment and was thrown in the dustbin . He is ever ready to lick the boots even on the cost of his political career. A maniac being used by JKT , Aleem Khan and many other people who are in politics merely to hide their black spots and ill gotten wealth . Imran Khan has provided them an umbrella. He has brainwashed youth to use them for his nefarious purposes.

Brother you are being way too harsh on IK. Yes he has comitted mistakes and I cannot agree more with the statement that knowing the pulses of masses is a must for a politititian and IK has lagged behind in that but licking boots of establishment??...C'mon! Parvez musharraf has confessed openly a number of times that he had offered IK a grand alliance by offering him 10 seats but IK was determined to check his party's strength through democratic vote.... Ik supported musharraf's referendum only because he then thought that Musharraf will bring back the looted money of zardari and Nawaz and will do a tough accountability of everyone . But when Musharraf's started doing NRO's and selfish political alliances it was IK who opposed him openly....

IK was termed as blue eyed polititian of Gen Pasha but it was only revealed after 2 years that it was Ch nisaar and CM shahbaz who had met Gen Kiani secretly many times for different political means.. In memo gate scandle , Gen pasha was totally in touch with PMLN and he incited Nawaz to file that case against PPP. Yes Gen Pasha had very soft corner for IK and he had openly started advocating his political stances But those massive jalsas of PTI had nothing to do with establishment and it was proved later on that even after departure of Pasha that only PTI can manage to pull out the massive crowds on streets....

The dilemna is that people of PMLN and PPP should realize that their leaders were manufactured by dictators...whereas IK is the only political leader (of a bigger party) who took 16 years to gather people around him despite of his stardom and charisma....

 

[kpkpak]

1982
تک عمران خان ایک پھٹیچر پلیر تھا 1982 سے 1992 تک بال ٹیمپرنگ کی وجہ سے فاسٹ باولر چھائے رہے
1992
میں رمیض راجہ، وسیم، انضمام اور دوسرے ینگ پلیرز نے ورلڈ کپ جتوا کر عمران خان کو لیجنڈ بنا دیا

 

[Desibaba]

EXACTLY. Cricket qualification has nothing do do with politics or prim ministership.

is ko PCB ka chairman bana do.
Its best suited position matching his resume

 

[Will_Bite]

1982
تک عمران خان ایک پھٹیچر پلیر تھا 1982 سے 1992 تک بال ٹیمپرنگ کی وجہ سے فاسٹ باولر چھائے رہے
1992
میں رمیض راجہ، وسیم، انضمام اور دوسرے ینگ پلیرز نے ورلڈ کپ جتوا کر عمران خان کو لیجنڈ بنا دیا

LOL!!

If there ever was a competition for the worst display of desperation and case of sour grapes, this post would win by a landslide.

 

[Will_Bite]

is ko PCB ka chairman bana do.
Its best suited position matching his resume

According to Ishaq Dar's resume, he should be running a money changer business and Nawaz Sharif should be cleaning gutters.

NAwaz and Zardari are 2 planted cancers in Pakistan, who have nothing to do with genuine politics, and everything to do with fraud and theft of public exchequer.

 

[Aleena_Khan]

Imran was an all-time great in two disciplines (bowling and captaincy), and Test standard in a third (batting).

No other cricketer in entire history can match this. Look at it this way - in bowling he averages as McGrath or Marshall (22.8), in batting his average is identical to that of Lamb and Atherton (37.8). His bowling stats are the most balanced for all bowlers in history who have taken over 300 Test wickets - against all countries, home or away, he averaged sub-30.

Achieved the highest ICC Test Rating ever since pitches started to get covered post WWII - 922 in 1983. History's greatest ever bowler-skipper: 187 Test wickets @ 20.2.

That's not the end of it - as a skipper, he averaged 52 with the bat! Easily history's greatest-ever all-rounder, as Sobers, although regarded and an all-time grant batsman, was not Test standard as a bowler (averaged 34, S/R of 93 balls per wicket).

Whereas Imran Khan, regarded unquestionably as an all-time great bowler, was also Test standard as a batsman (averaged as much as Atherton and Lamb). Sobers was a mediocre skipper, and Imran is one of the, if not, the finest-ever captain.

Moreover, the value of a bowling all-rounder is worth much more than that of a batting all-rounder. Captaincy skills so magnificent, he was the pioneer in multiple dimensions - be it for introduction of neutral umpires, using strike bowlers in short spells, focusing on wicket-taking instead of run-restriction in ODIs etc. Wisden's ex Editor Tim De Lisle reckoned if an all-time Test XI would be assembled, Imran Khan would be the natural choice as skipper.

Serial Man-of-the-Series Awards winner ever since that feature got introduced in early 1980s.

Trailblazing fast bowler, who inspired generation of fasties from Pakistan. so selfless, he refused to play weak opposition in the final few years of his career, citing lack of motivation as the reason.

Once declared team innings when himself batting in the 90s! Regarding his quest for success and taking up challenges, Imran Khan's famous words were, "I am not afraid ever of losing.

I just hate losing." He was the team's de facto coach and spokesman too. Imran Khan, thus, is truly unmatchable in cricket history.

 

[Waqqar79]

These states are enough to prove that IK was a legend but Patwaris won't understand...
Between 1982 & 1990, IK played 49 tests & averaged 51.08 with the bat, in the same time period Viv Richards averaged 44.65
Between 1982 & 1990, IK averaged 19.08 with the ball; in the same time period, Malcom Marshal averaged 19.66...
So basically, IK's batting average was better than the best test batsman at the time & his bowling average was better than the best bowler...