The memoirs of Imran Khan: cricket’s invincible khan (Part 4)
After retirement, Imran Khan did not stop proving himself to be a leader as he set himself the monumental task of building a cancer hospital in the memory of his mother who had died of cancer. By 1997 he was on his way campaigning
for politics and despite not having as much success in the political arena as he did in cricket he has surely showed everyone that he possesses this uncanny ability to achieve whatever he sets his eye on. Shaukat Khanum is functioning as well as it did when
it was formed with a yearly budget in excess of 40 million dollars. He has also recently set up a university in his hometown of Mianwali in collaboration with the University of Bradford and was also nominated as the honorary chancellor of Bradford University.
He’s gone on to do greater things for Pakistan after his retirement from cricket and that in itself sets him apart from all other cricketers of his era who were merely cricketers. Imran Khan proved to the world that he has all
the potential to become a great leader and has demonstrated that particularly well, by working as a humanitarian and a politician.
“He worked more hard, when he was collecting charity for his cancer hospital than he did while playing cricket,” Wasim Akram noted about the great man. His hospital provides free medical care to poor people from all over the world
and not only Pakistan.
Just as he fought his way to the pinnacle of cricket success it would be premature to write him off as a political force in the future. In the words of Martin Jenkins, “Imran khan is a leader of rare quality.” He spoke articulately
and apart from being a leader, a bowler and a batsman for Pakistan he was also a very good publicist for his team. Imran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319 changed the face of Pakistan cricket. He always played positive cricket with an uncanny thirst for a win.
His most enduring quality was that he could relate to all kinds of cricketers, no matter what their background was or what their needs were. He could handle the stars of his team and those who were looking to make their mark on
history. His services to his team have been termed as “Quite outstanding for Pakistan cricket” in the words of Richie Benaud. In the 88 test matches played he had a batting average of 37 and an outstanding bowling average of 22. He was without an iota of doubt
the finest all round cricketer the world has seen since the great Sir Garfield Sobers.
“I got to play Imran in my first series and he was a great inspiration. Just by looking at him and the way he conducted himself and so disciplined he was. It is a sign of a great sportsman.” Sachin Tendulkar had to say about http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193
Khan.
“Imran Khan is so special to me. As far as im concerned he is God to me. If I was reborn and given a choice who would you want to be, I would be Imran Khan because I love everything about the man. His appearance to start with.
He really Worked hard and became a great cricketer.” http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sanjay-c88566 Manjrekar had to say about Khan.
“When Imran Khan retired it seemed as if Pakistan would need four people to replace him. They would need a top order batsman which he had become late in his career. He was a genuine Test match and One day International number four
or five. A fast bowler he had been one of the greatest fast bowlers in history. A captain, clearly the great captain in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 and Waqar Younis. They are the three great fast bowlers
in Pakistan history. Imran is one of them and the other two are his protégé. Fourthly they would have needed a press officer.
Imran had glamour that was rare perhaps unique in Pakistan cricket. “If you are picking an all time eleven of the greatest players, you would have to pick Imran in fact he probably should be captain of the all time world eleven.”
Tim de Lisle Editor Wisden had to say about Imran Khan.
He was regal and commanding, emanating an aura of self reassurance. His exceptional leadership qualities on the field and off it, elevates him beyond even the greatest of his peers, his all round ability, force of character and
integrity. He is a legend beyond doubt, an enigma an inspiration a leader, a philanthropist, a cricketer and an administrator. For once he retired from international cricket he surely set the stage for Pakistan Cricket for the next twenty years. He established
the Pakistan team for two decades and surely there was not another man in history who had the ability or the foresight to have done such a big favour for Pakistan cricket.
For his contribution in the field of cricket, or humanity Imran stands unparalleled not only as a cricket but as a leader, a finely cut diamond with each facet of his personality glowing with radiance, exuberance, integrity, maturity
and outright honesty. Imran Khan has surely made his mark in the annals of history as one of the greatest leaders of the world.
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