The memoirs of Imran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319: cricket’s invincible khan (Part 3)
In 1987, at the Oval, Imran Khan won the first series victory in England where he scored an imperious 118 which he said would be the last test match of his career. He took 10 for 77 with his bowling at Headingly that ensured a
decisive victory for Pakistan. He then led Pakistan to the semi final of the 1987 world cup, where the team was then undone by the Australians who went on to win the tournament and thus Imran’s career came to a sad end, or so he thought it would be.
However in the aftermath of the World Cup in 1987, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javed-Miandad-c66580 was appointed as captain following Khan’s retirement from International cricket. Miandad led Pakistan to their first home series win against England in 1987/88. However
the entire country still wanted Imran Khan to make his comeback into the national side, and soon Miandad resigned to make way for Khan who took over the reign of the national side once again.
Imran made his comeback for a brilliant three Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760. The series went on to be considered as one of the finest ever played in the 1980’s and Pakistan, it seemed for a fair part of it, was dominating the
West Indies, however the series ended in a 1-1 draw. It was Khan’s dream to win a series against the West Indies for they were the best side in the World and had the ability to hammer any side no matter how well they played, or no matter what players they
played in their side. West Indies were ruthless, Khan was fearless. It was the perfect match for the world class West Indian side and rightly so the series ended in a draw, however it proved that Khan still had much to give to the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 cricket team. His
mere presence in the side was electrifying.
At a time when the teams all over the world feared the ruthless giants from West Indies, who were slogging every one of them out of sight Khan led his team to draw three series against them.
It was perhaps the one team of the era that matched the capabilities of the West Indian side. Allan Border, the great Australian cricketer showered praise on the captaincy of Imran for he felt that he had been inspiring in his
contest against the Windies. He had matched their wits with his formidable presence on the field. He ended his Test career with a win over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
At the age of 40 where many cricketers start considering retirement or have already retired Imran Khan was a man who was destined to do greater things for his country. While other all–rounders steadily declined, Khan improved and
the last ten years of his career he played 51 test matches with a mind blowing bowling average of 19 with the ball and 50 with the bat.
At the old age of 40, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Khan’s finest hour had surely arrived. For this was his time to make his mark in the annals of history as the greatest captain that led a team heading for elimination to a World Cup Victory. Famously
calling his team, the cornered tigers his team was almost out of the competition since England were all set to win a group stage match. Luckily, the team barely made it through due to rain that resulted in the match being drawn. As a result, his team went
on in the finals, and mainly due his thunderous force of personality Imran Khan led his team to victory.
He was at an age, where fast bowlers were either commentating or coaching, however his performance, both with the bat and the ball was as good as it had ever been. He was almost the eldest in the side, and his fellow team mates
feared him and respected him greatly. Despite not getting along well with the great batsman Javed Miandad, Imran Khan ensured that their rivalry did not affect the overall performance of the team. When the situation and the circumstances demanded of the two
of them to lead their side to victory, they formed a winning partnership of 139 runs between them to lead Pakistan to a respectable total. Scoring 72 runs and taking the final wicket, Pakistan for the first time in history felt its hands on the world cup trophy.
It was Imran’s moment of reckoning.
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