[EXCLUSIVE] "Misbah-ul-Haq supported me a lot": Imran Khan Snr.

[FearlessRoar]

Former Pakistan Test pacer Imran Khan Snr., who took part in 10 Tests from 2014-19 and took 29 wickets, spoke with us in an exclusive interview. He took over 50 wickets for three consecutive seasons of the QeA Trophy, finally breaking into the Test side in 2014. The right-arm pacer idolized Umar Gul from his college days and spoke deeply about his journey in this candid conversation.

In PakPassion's latest exclusive interview by Mohammad Aizaz, Imran shed light on Pakistan's domestic structure, reacted to Ijaz Ahmed's derogatory remarks against KPK players, and discussed the support he received from Misbah-ul-Haq as captain.

The topics he discussed in this interview include:

From college to cricket stardom: Imran reveals how he became a fast bowler and the inspiration behind his passion.

Idolizing Umar Gul: Imran shares his admiration for the legendary pacer and how it influenced his bowling style.

Test debut under Misbah-ul-Haq: Imran recounts his debut experience and the guidance he received from the former captain.

Trapping Michael Clarke: Imran relives the thrilling moment when he dismissed the Australian legend.

Pakistan's lucky charm: Imran discusses his reputation as a lucky charm for the team and how it boosted his confidence.

Rise of KPK in domestic cricket: Imran sheds light on the growth of cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the talent emerging from the region.

Ijaz Ahmed's remarks: Imran responds to the former cricketer's derogatory comments about KPK players.

Potential superstars in domestic cricket: Imran identifies promising talent in Pakistan's domestic circuit and offers advice on improving the standard.

Watch full interview here:

 

[Cricket Warrior]

His bowling action was more like Umar Gul.... the only bowler at that time for Pakistan who utilized the seam of the ball better than any other bowler.

 

[PakLFC]

Why was he omitted from the team?. Many decent players Pak threw out for no reason.

 

[Major]

Guy was pretty unknown and than the Kaptaan selected him and played him in alot of games. Was a decent bowler who i think could had also had a career in odis.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Well we couldn't capitalize his full potential as a Test player, may be in future PCT won't repeat such mistakes.

 

[Double Trouble]

Imran was a decent pacer who dropped pace after making his debut for PK.

Honest trier who did his best whilst he could.

To succeed at Int level you need to maintain pace as well accuracy with Bumrah a prime example

 

[angrypathan]

Supported him too much, should never have been on the Australia tour of 2019

 

[Major]

Imran was a decent pacer who dropped pace after making his debut for PK.

Honest trier who did his best whilst he could.

To succeed at Int level you need to maintain pace as well accuracy with Bumrah a prime example

the guy was decent. He was able to maintain a bowling avg of 30.

What msot people forget is that he only played like 10 test games, out of which 7 were in UAE/Sri lanka

 

[BouncerGuy]

Age has caught up to him now. I don't think he is going to play any cricket for Pakistan, but yeah, he was underutilized. Not that he has a banger of a 10-match career but he could have played few games more.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

In those days, we used to sneer at these types of bowlers. Our expectations were too high. We would call every bowler who came into the test side a trundler, and fans would make fun of them.

 

[Major]

In those days, we used to sneer at these types of bowlers. Our expectations were too high. We would call every bowler who came into the test side a trundler, and fans would make fun of them.

Thing is, these type of bowlers did not fix games or ran away from Pakistan, which is why I will always respect them.

They were there and represented Pakistan with respect, while others were either fixing game, selling Pakistan out for a few pounds or wanted to play leagues and ran away.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Thing is, these type of bowlers did not fix games or ran away from Pakistan, which is why I will always respect them.

They were there and represented Pakistan with respect, while others were either fixing game, selling Pakistan out for a few pounds or wanted to play leagues and ran away.

This was just around the social media era.

Before this we really used to believe Pak bowlers were all 90mph and there was talent all around the villages and stuff ready to be unearthed.

So when bowlers came to the test side we would get frustrated because the expectation was that there was someone better just waiting for a chance. We would hear about the next shoaib or zahid.

Is it a just coincidence that as we have more access to players videos etc via social media that suddenly we realize that there is not as much talent in Pakistan nor there there is an abundance of fast bowlers anymore?

The answer is we were a bit delusional.

Bowlers like Rao Iftikhar , Imran Khan and Aizaz Cheema were written off too quickly by many ( including me).

If they were active today they may have been better than our current bunch.

 

[Major]

This was just around the social media era.

Before this we really used to believe Pak bowlers were all 90mph and there was talent all around the villages and stuff ready to be unearthed.

So when bowlers came to the test side we would get frustrated because the expectation was that there was someone better just waiting for a chance. We would hear about the next shoaib or zahid.

Is it a just coincidence that as we have more access to players videos etc via social media that suddenly we realize that there is not as much talent in Pakistan nor there there is an abundance of fast bowlers anymore?

The answer is we were a bit delusional.

Bowlers like Rao Iftikhar , Imran Khan and Aizaz Cheema were written off too quickly by many ( including me).

If they were active today they may have been better than our current bunch.

This is also the reason why we lack behind in cricket nowadays.

There is no way in Pakistan Arshdeep would had played or Hardik Pandya would had been considered. No way at all, because you are right, that we live in a delusion that only express pacers can play cricket, irrespect how terrible they are.

Which is why Haris Rauf keeps his spot, we played an injured Shaheen and further injured him to the point that he stings now, and we bought back an ex fixer who lost us a game to USA.


Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali, the table topper of t20 cricket in Pakistan was left behind because his pace wasnt attractive enough.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Bowled a game changing spell in Kandy. Wasn't backed properly after that. Any reason?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He was decent enough on slower wickets. He had the ability to bowl consistent line and length, which is more useful in UAE than trying to find swing. Very steady eddy type of bowler. But he got completely exposed on the Australia tour because of his lack of pace.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Misbah supported a lot of individuals but most of them were disliked by people for many reasons, this guy was not hated but he was unfortunate that he was not able to prolong his career.

Deserved a longer run.

 

[Rana]

Misbah supported a lot of individuals but most of them were disliked by people for many reasons, this guy was not hated but he was unfortunate that he was not able to prolong his career.

Deserved a longer run.

Misbah is the David Moyes of Manchester United. The kind of guy who will tell Vidic to watch videos of Phil Jagielka in order to improve his defensive game.

 

[Mohraheem]

Misbah supported a lot of individuals but most of them were disliked by people for many reasons, this guy was not hated but he was unfortunate that he was not able to prolong his career.

Deserved a longer run.

Misbah should stay away from Pakistan cricket

 

[FearlessRoar]

10 Tests and 29 wickets for Pakistan
388 first-class wickets

Happy birthday to right-arm fast bowler Imran Khan Snr.