PCB included Imran Khan in a fresh video showcasing Pakistan cricket’s history, but this led to renewed fan anger due to the board’s explanation for his previous exclusion. On Pakistan’s 76th Independence Day, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) commemorated the occasion with a moving video tribute to cricket legends and the country’s accomplishments in the sport.
The video, spanning two minutes and twenty-one seconds, traversed Pakistan’s cricket history from its inaugural international appearance in 1952 to the 1992 World Cup victory, concluding with the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, the video’s exclusion of Imran Khan, a significant figure in Pakistan’s cricket history, stirred up controversy, with many viewing it as politically driven.
The PCB has launched a promotional campaign leading up to the CWC 2023. One of the videos was uploaded on 14th August 2023. Due to its length, the video was abridged and some important clips were missing. This has been rectified in the complete version of the video ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Rz2OBDyI9i
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 16, 2023
While fans criticized PCB for this omission, former cricketer Wasim Akram also voiced his discontent, demanding that the PCB remove the video and issue an apology.
In response to the uproar, it appears that the PCB acknowledged the criticism and subsequently released a revised video where Imran Khan is prominently featured.
The updated version highlights Imran Khan’s presence with two appearances in the video, particularly emphasizing his role in the iconic 1992 World Cup victory clips.
The video underscores Imran’s importance by captioning a scene as “Imran Khan in Pakistan’s memorable World Cup victory,” while showing footage of the celebrated moment when Pakistan triumphed, with Imran taking the lead.
The PCB clarified that Imran’s initial exclusion from the video was due to its “abbreviated” length
“The PCB has launched a promotional campaign leading up to the CWC 2023. One of the videos was uploaded on 14th August 2023. Due to its length, the video was abridged and some important clips were missing. This has been rectified in the complete version of the video,” the PCB wrote.
An esteemed figure in cricket and a distinguished former all-rounder, Imran Khan made an enduring impact on the sport. His international journey spanned from 1971 to 1992, during which he achieved over 7,500 runs and secured more than 500 wickets across Test matches and One Day Internationals.
Imran’s leadership led Pakistan to a historic World Cup win in 1992, and his remarkable abilities as a quick bowler and middle-order batsman firmly established his legacy as one of cricket’s most influential personalities. The initial video has been taken down from the PCB’s account on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The ex-cricketer who transitioned into politics, previously detained, encountered another arrest earlier this month.
An Islamabad court pronounced judgment on his situation, condemning the former Prime Minister of Pakistan to a three-year jail sentence and barring him from political involvement due to “corrupt activities.”
Police apprehended the 70-year-old individual at his home after the court’s verdict regarding the Toshakhana case, where he faced allegations of being linked to the sale of state presents valued in millions of rupees. There were suggestions that his omission from the video might be linked to political disagreements between him and the present Pakistani administration.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
