A new Imran Khan ready to step up for Pakistan

E-Paper | April 28, 2026

There are currently more than a half a dozen 'Imran Khans' on the domestic circuit.

But the Imran Khan from Swat has become the latest pace sensation to have gripped the imagination of cricket fans.

The 27-year-old left-arm seamer is more in the mould of Wahab Riaz when it comes to his bowling stride and is a little light on pace. But he knows that he has a proud name to live up to and much like the other young fast bowlers in the country, Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning captain is an inspiration for Imran as well.

Imran Khan in action. — AFP

“My favourite hero in cricket is Imran Khan,” Imran told cricket.com.au in an interview.

“Although I am not named after him, the name always instills passion in me,” he added.

Imran's heroic in the National T20 Cup won him a place in the Pakistan T20 side and he says he ready to move up a grade.

“Wherever you play cricket you need to be mentally strong for it. If you are mentally strong then you can play cricket anywhere in world, therefore I believe I am ready to play international cricket.”

“There is no better feeling than playing for your country. I want to play for Pakistan.”

Swat, better known as teenage education activist Malala Yousafzai's hometown, has a big following for football and volleyball. But Imran's bowling against Pakistan's superstar, Shahid Afridi, is likely to provide a boost to the game in the valley.

“I wanted to bowl at least one over to Afridi. I wanted to test my variations against him.”

“He is the most powerful hitter in the world, therefore I wanted to see if I could survive against his powerful hitting. It was a great feeling.”

Pakistan will be travelling to Zimbabwe for two Twenty20 Internationals and three ODIs starting September 27.

Imran says he ready to outfox the batsmen should the Pakistan call-up come.

“I always read the batsman first. After I figure out his strength I find ways to bowl against his strength,” he said.

“Having control on your variation is the main art. If you have control on your variations then you can be successful in any situation.”

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Cyrus

Sep 19, 2015 02:12pm

Why don't they just run for political office right now?

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Ahmed

Sep 19, 2015 02:12pm

o no

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N H RANA

Sep 19, 2015 02:19pm

Well done Imran Khan Jr.Good luck .

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Mansoor

Sep 19, 2015 02:24pm

The video showing the hat trick does not inspire to compare him with the greats of yesteryear.

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Laeeq Ahmed

Sep 19, 2015 02:40pm

He is not up in pace and looks like only t20 player. Hopefully he will prove me wrong.

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adnan s ullah

Sep 19, 2015 02:45pm

Anwar Ali too belong to Swat,

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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne

Sep 19, 2015 02:56pm

Not so inspiring on pace or swing, quite mediocre performer, 27 years of age and bit unfit look does not really going to make him a strike bowler.

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Ashraf Ahmad

Sep 19, 2015 03:17pm

I am sure he is a good talent but this looks like more of the batsmen's hat trick of impatience and stupidity. Knowing that it is hat trick situation they could have opted for better shot selection.

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salman khan

Sep 19, 2015 03:19pm

well deserved, good luck khan

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Bikram singh

Sep 19, 2015 03:41pm

should not compare minnows with the legends. Its disrespect to them.

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SWT

Sep 19, 2015 04:43pm

this swat valley is producing real gems.....

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Razi

Sep 19, 2015 05:01pm

Welcome aboard!! Give it your best shot, always. Best of luck!

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ahmad

Sep 19, 2015 05:02pm

this hatrick might seem mediocre, but i watched all the matches and his variations was excellent.

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Critic

Sep 19, 2015 05:38pm

"Swat, better known as teenage education activist Malala Yousafzai's hometown" Swat was a well known place even before Malala was born!!

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Shahid

Sep 19, 2015 06:26pm

Non of the balls shown in the video have anything to them. Any good international player could have hit them out of the stadium. He is being over rated but I do wish him good luck.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Sep 19, 2015 06:30pm

Sorry Imran your hard work won't pay you off. PCB is more interested to select 3 convicted cricketers so your spot is not empty.

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The Morning Star

Sep 19, 2015 07:03pm

Well who can forget Amin Lakhani, Hat-trick in both innings against the touring Indian side and yet was not selected to play in the following test match.

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Canada

Sep 19, 2015 07:08pm

Thats some poor camera work and sound quality.

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Shabbir

Sep 19, 2015 07:39pm

Well done. Keep it up.

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Nostalgia

Sep 19, 2015 08:08pm

As a bowler if at the age of 27 he is not in the national team then lets not have false expectations here.

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imran

Sep 19, 2015 08:39pm

With his run up and change of pace, he will get most of the wkts by decieving batsmen. He is good option in odi death overs.

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faridullah

Sep 19, 2015 08:40pm

A mediocre bowler, sharing name with greats do not make you great.

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Zia

Sep 19, 2015 08:56pm

Good luck to him . He just seem be an average medium pacer. He got those wickets because batsmen did not have enough power. None of the Pakistan's great came on board at 27 years. In sports this is a fact. He is in no way a sensation. Junaid is the best among the current lot and proper fitness and bowling guidance should be given to him along with Amir. None of the Pakistans great bowlers came through domestic performances be it Imran, Wasim, Waqar or Fazal.

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unpar

Sep 19, 2015 09:04pm

@Ashraf Ahmad he was selected for his overall performance. And finally yes in T20 you do exploit batsmen impatience etc. Lets not be this jaded :)

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A. Ali

Sep 19, 2015 09:46pm

quite ordinary bowler... frankly not worthy of national squad even in T20. at age 27 what more he will learn................. ?. whats happening to our selectors ?. Irfan pathan of India was one bowler who could never back up his selection and he was just like this guy.... sad to see such a time now we will see headlines on media about such bowlers making news/ or its just because he got a hat-trick whereas all the deliveries were hit for boundaries.

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Sep 19, 2015 09:52pm

He is not international material.

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Marsh Moon

Sep 19, 2015 10:56pm

Beautiful cricket driving in Pakistan

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lar o bar na manam

Sep 19, 2015 11:26pm

Afridi scored only one runs in his 17 th over of t20 match. I am not saying that afridi is good but this guy is a magician in limited overs. He won't let you score at brisk pace. That's it.

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ashraf

Sep 19, 2015 11:29pm

Imran must be given a chance against Zimbabwean . I think he is far better than Sohail tanveer.

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HITMANN

Sep 19, 2015 11:48pm

LOl does he looks like a wicket taker bowler? Those 3 batsmen were trying to Hit for a Six because it was last over and pakistan media is comparing him as a hero Lol wat a joke

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Faisal K

Sep 20, 2015 02:05am

Look at the level of commentary going down.

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Shahryar Shirazi

Sep 20, 2015 03:09am

@Cyrus It would be a tough fight between the two IK's - who display's superior political immaturity :)

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Dr Rehman (Dow)

Sep 20, 2015 03:21am

Please just do not pick because his name is Imran Khan. He is just ordinary. Look at his records. We all know PTI is getting VIP treatment from media and rangers. Please keep cricket save from this other wise Shah Mahmood Queshi will be PCB chairman.

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Pakistani

Sep 20, 2015 04:51am

we need to replace the whole national team with Peshawar team then we will win every match.

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Nasir

Sep 20, 2015 08:27am

All his wickets were catches. None were bowled or Lbw.In international matches there would be hard hitters like Gayle, Brad hogg, Kohli, Ab de villers etc. You need pace with good yorker length to take their wickets. Expecting him to deliver at the age of 27 in international matches is too much and comparing him to legends like Imran, Waqar, Akram is heights of ignorance. These bowlers used to stumble the batsman and at times make them fall at the crease whereas at his bowling, batsman are playing shots easily though they are not able to clear the boundary.

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51drew

Sep 20, 2015 08:29am

@Bikram singh I think you mean minions

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51drew

Sep 20, 2015 08:30am

@ashraf Keep trying deLUsional ones!lo,

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Arif k

Sep 20, 2015 09:57am

I'm not impressed at all. No pace, short run up and very ordinary action. I don't see him surviving in international cricket. All the wickets he got were batsman's mistimed shots. GL nevertheless !

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sam

Sep 20, 2015 10:27am

its time for world cricket for a new WASIM AKRAM.......a true ARTIST with the BALL...EAGERLY WAITING...:)

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Khi92

Sep 20, 2015 12:30pm

His words are inspirational.

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Amir

Sep 20, 2015 03:34pm

What a talent! Pakistan keeps on producing quality fast bowlers from nowhere. He is going to be the next big thing in international cricket.

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A. Ali

Sep 20, 2015 04:19pm

@lar o bar na manam ................ what does its means by " that's it " ?.

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Zaman

Sep 20, 2015 05:12pm

Most people are judging him on the basis of the hat-trick. His true credentials are his varieties. Do not classify him as a fast bowler but a hybrid bowler who can swing, bowl effective Yorkers, slow bouncers, swing and even spin the ball. His over to Afridi was illustrative of his talent. Reminds me a little of Asif with his languid and flowing action. 27 years is still young for such a bowler with such a simple action.He will only improve with experience .Good luck.

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mubashir

Sep 20, 2015 05:17pm

Wrong selection. very average player

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Zaman

Sep 20, 2015 05:34pm

The hat-trick balls were not monumental. It was the spell that led to the hat- trick that was critical.

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Imran AB

Sep 21, 2015 03:05pm

Hat trick !!! Yes ..... Excellent bowling ...No !!!! But wish him good luck anyway !!!!

Recommend 0

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