London: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan and now head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf was the guest speaker on Tuesday last at the launch of ‘Wounded Tiger: The History of Cricket in Pakistan’ written by eminent Daily Telegraph writer Peter Oborne.

Having landed from Pakistan, Imran rushed to the event straight from the airport to honour his commitment where he was warmly greeted by people present and was immediately surrounded by autograph hunters and people keen to have their photographs taken with him.

Wounded Tiger: Pakistan cricket's unexplored narrative

It was great to see that having left the game more than two decades ago he is still adored and has not lost the charisma which he carried with dignity as one of the top cricket all-rounders of the world.

Imran spoke eloquently about treasure trove of talent that Pakistan had always had but lamented the fact that the game continued to be organised in a haphazard way which is a worry.

He talked about how Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis came to spotlight out of nowhere to become the legends of the game and how from time to time players emerge from obscurity.

“If things were institutionalised and run on a professional scale we may have had a lot more cricketers unearthed than we have so far,” said the former captain.

Also, praising his predecessors particularly Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Pakistan’s first Test captain, he said he admired the legacy which he inherited as a player and captain from his predecessors.

“At first I was not sure but later on in my career I discovered how good he may have been as a leader of men in the early years of Pakistan cricket,” remarked the former Test bowler.

The launching was attended by several cricket-related people including Hafeez Kardar’s son Shahid Kardar and grandson Hamza Kardar. Also present in the crowd was former ICC president Ehsan Mani.

Imran is in London to speak at the Bradford University and to be with his sons on their school holiday.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2014