bagapath
International Captain
The great cricketer is said to be losing his vision. I don’t know enough to speak about the circumstances behind his incarceration. But as a fan of his cricket (and, in general, a relentless optimist hoping for peace and happiness for all, despite this news bringing sorrow), I want those of us who have seen and enjoyed Imran Khan’s exploits on the cricket field — and off it too, if you know anything interesting — to share our love and admiration for him, and for bringing glory to Pakistan cricket.
There are some truly great fast bowlers who average better than him — but no one averages anywhere close to him with the bat. That makes him two cricketers rolled into one — that is how all-rounders are born. During his playing days — apart from his celebrated rivalry with Botham, Kapil, and Hadlee — he was also locked in fast-bowling battles with Lillee, Holding, and Willis, and running rivalries with star batsmen like Gavaskar, Richards, Chappell, and Border. Not to forget his own exploits with the bat.
On top of all this, he led Pakistan to become a very respected international outfit with that leap before the searing in-swinger, that mane bouncing on his neck, those stomach muscles tightening before the bouncer, the dramatic field changes, those abuses in chaste Punjabi at fielders dropping catches — which even a South Indian could lip-read on black-and-white TV — those booming sixers off the most fearsome pacers and hapless spinners, the inspirational leadership that oozed out of TV sets, the charisma… he was true box office.
For cricket fans of my vintage, it is impossible not to consider Imran Khan among the top five greatest cricketers ever. In my books, he is a good shout to be the third greatest of all time, behind only Bradman and Sobers. Considering his bowling was as good as Sobers’ batting, and his batting was as good as Sobers’ bowling, it is probably only Sobers’ fielding that gives him the edge. Otherwise, it is not easy to imagine any cricketer who could be clearly deemed better than Imran Khan. I hope future cricket fans recognize and acknowledge that too.
There are some truly great fast bowlers who average better than him — but no one averages anywhere close to him with the bat. That makes him two cricketers rolled into one — that is how all-rounders are born. During his playing days — apart from his celebrated rivalry with Botham, Kapil, and Hadlee — he was also locked in fast-bowling battles with Lillee, Holding, and Willis, and running rivalries with star batsmen like Gavaskar, Richards, Chappell, and Border. Not to forget his own exploits with the bat.
On top of all this, he led Pakistan to become a very respected international outfit with that leap before the searing in-swinger, that mane bouncing on his neck, those stomach muscles tightening before the bouncer, the dramatic field changes, those abuses in chaste Punjabi at fielders dropping catches — which even a South Indian could lip-read on black-and-white TV — those booming sixers off the most fearsome pacers and hapless spinners, the inspirational leadership that oozed out of TV sets, the charisma… he was true box office.
For cricket fans of my vintage, it is impossible not to consider Imran Khan among the top five greatest cricketers ever. In my books, he is a good shout to be the third greatest of all time, behind only Bradman and Sobers. Considering his bowling was as good as Sobers’ batting, and his batting was as good as Sobers’ bowling, it is probably only Sobers’ fielding that gives him the edge. Otherwise, it is not easy to imagine any cricketer who could be clearly deemed better than Imran Khan. I hope future cricket fans recognize and acknowledge that too.
