Table of Contents
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is embroiled in significant controversy, facing a wave of criticism for excluding former captain and cricket great Imran Khan from a celebratory video created in honour of Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day.
Amidst the uproar, the absence of Imran Khan, a revered figure in cricket and politics, has triggered outrage, with fans accusing the PCB of succumbing to political pressures.
Imran Khan, renowned for his contributions both on and off the cricket field, led Pakistan to a historic victory in the 1992 ODI World Cup – an accomplishment deeply ingrained in the nation’s cricket legacy. The omission of Khan from the tribute video has baffled and disheartened supporters, who view him as one of the greatest cricketers in history.
Critics on social media have vehemently condemned the PCB’s decision, labelling it as a form of political victimization. Many assert that the exclusion arises from the strained relationship between Imran Khan and the current government.
Independence Day video by PCB excluding cricket great Imran Khan
Making history isn't just about one day, it's about the legends we create and the tales we script ????
???? Pakistan Cricket Team – a legacy that echoes through time ????#BeyondJustOneDay pic.twitter.com/grC0YVC5Xi
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 14, 2023
Imran Khan’s indelible cricketing achievements remain integral to Pakistan’s sporting history. As the sole Pakistani captain to hoist the revered ODI World Cup, Khan’s absence from the tribute video strikes a chord with admirers who consider his feats pivotal to Pakistan’s cricketing heritage.
Interestingly, the video also disregards the accomplishments of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team. The scant representation of the women’s team’s achievements has drawn criticism, particularly for sidelining prominent players like Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof, and Kiran Baloch, who have significantly contributed to Pakistan’s cricketing journey.
Additionally, the video overlooks the milestone of Pakistan’s ascent to the number one Test team in 2016 under Misbah-ul-Haq. Instead, it features a 2-0 Test win against Sri Lanka and a victory in the emerging Asia Cup.
To compound the disappointment for Pakistani cricket enthusiasts, the video montage bizarrely showcases former PM Benazir Bhutto presenting the World Cup winners’ trophy to Sri Lanka in 1996, unrelated to Pakistan’s achievements. Similarly, the inclusion of Pakistan’s first captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, alongside former PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, is seen as biased and unrelated to cricket, potentially reflecting favoritism by Zaka Ashraf, appointed by the PPP.
Also, see:
No special security for Pakistan in World Cup, clears India
