Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi is a Pakistani politician and former cricketer who was the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to April 2022. He founded and chaired the political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from 1996 to 2023. In the early 1990s, Imran Khan captained the national cricket team for almost a decade.
Originally hailing from Lahore, Khan studied at Keble College, Oxford. His debut Test series was against England in 1971. Until retiring in 1992, he captained his country intermittently between 1982 and 1992 including winning in the Cricket World Cup in Pakistan’s solitary triumph at that time in history. The greatest all-rounders of this game according to many cricket writers are Imran Khan who has been also immortalized with a place among the ICC Cricket Hall of Famers. Launched by Khan himself PTI managed to secure one NA seat during general elections of 2002 until it lost popularity and its membership went down drastically. After it boycotted general elections of 2008, PTI became second largest party by votes in the National Assembly member house in general elections of2013.The PTI gained more seats than any other partynational assembly becoming largest single group after getting support even outside parliament thereby forming government based on coalition with independents under prime ministership from Mr.Khan.
Imran Khan made his cricket debut at 16, representing various Lahore teams before playing for Oxford’s Blues team. He participated in English county cricket from 1971 to 1976 and debuted in Test cricket for Pakistan in 1971. Over the years, he became renowned for his fast bowling and was instrumental in developing the reverse swing technique. Khan achieved remarkable bowling statistics, securing 362 Test wickets and becoming the first Pakistani to reach this milestone. He was also an adept all-rounder, amassing over 3,000 runs and boasting a high batting average of 61.86 at the sixth batting position.
Khan took over as captain of the Pakistani team in 1982, leading the nation to significant victories, including its first Test win in England in 28 years and a historic World Cup victory in 1992. While balancing his roles as captain and player, he garnered over 139 ODI matches with significant wins. Despite injuries, he made a successful comeback to cricket in the mid-1980s. Khan is celebrated for his leadership, culminating in a World Cup triumph, and he holds several cricketing records, affirming his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest figures.
