Last Updated on 12 months ago by Charbel Coorey
There’s controversy afoot within Pakistani cricket circles. The incident involves a war of words involving two of the legends of the game, one of them the most powerful man in the country.
Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan skipper, went public with some very explosive and accusatory opinions directed at Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
Miandad stated that he believes that Khan is destroying the state of cricket within the country because he continues to appoint foreigners for key roles with the Pakistan Cricket Board over his Pakistani countrymen.
Before entering politics, Khan was an international cricketer and captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team. He led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
It’s believed that Miandad was specifically referring to Wasim Khan, the current CEO of the PCB. Although of Pakistani origin, Wasim Khan was born and raised in England. He became the first person of Pakistani/Asian origin who was also British to play professional cricket in England.
“All officials in the PCB do not know the ABC of the sport,” Miandad said on his official YouTube channel. “I will talk to Imran Khan personally about the sad state of affairs.
“I will not leave anyone that is not right for our country.”
Taking Imran Khan To Task
Never one to mince words, the always outspoken Miandad, 63, left no stone unturned as he lashed out at Imran Khan’s leadership.
“You appointed a foreigner on a key position,” Miandad continued before leveling unproven accusations at Wasim Khan. “What will happen when he flees the country after doing corruption?
“Is there a shortage of people in your own country that you had to bring people from abroad to work in the PCB?”
Described as one of the finest batsmen in the history of cricket, Miandad played 124 Test matches for Pakistan from 1975-93. He was named captain of the national team at the young age of 22.
Miandad is one of two players to appear in six Cricket World Cups and he was the first player to achieve this unique feat. After his playing days, he served three separate tenures as coach of Pakistan’s national team. He also served on the PCB.
In 1982, Imran Khan replaced Miandad as Pakistan’s captain and Miandad felt it necessary to point out to the Prime Minister which of them served in the role first.
“I was your captain, you weren’t my captain,” Miandad said. “I was the one who led you all the time, but you act like God now. It is almost like you’re the only intelligent person in this country, as if no one has gone to Oxford or Cambridge or any other university in Pakistan. Think about the people.
“I come from a different field. But I care about the world I live in, and I live among the people. And I’ve said this to Imran. I made him the Prime Minister.”
Miandad Considering Politics?
Miandad hinted that he might consider a run for office and the chance to challenge Imran Khan in the political field.
“I’ll come to politics and then I’ll talk to you,” Miandad said. “You don’t care about the country. You came to my home and went out as a Prime Minister. I challenge you to deny this.”
Miandad claimed that he held a better understanding of Pakistan’s people than his former teammate and current Prime Minister.
“What’s the meaning of being a Pakistani?” Miandad asked rhetorically. “To live and let live. Help your own. Be intelligent. I’ve echoed the nation’s voice. I know it is difficult for common people to raise their voice, but I’m at a position where I can raise their voice in front of the world.”
Miandad also criticized the way former Pakistan captain Sarfarez Ahmed was treated and disagreed with the country’s new regional system of cricket, again emphasizing that he felt these problems were so because of the influence of higher ups in the PCB who are not from Pakistan.
“Please do not bring people from abroad to manage our cricket,” Miandad told the Times of India.
“Believe in the people of Pakistan.”
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