Imran Khan, the iconic World Cup-winning captain of Pakistan, is celebrated as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders. Yet, a surprising omission from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Independence Day tribute video has ignited a heated controversy.

Despite Imran Khan’s monumental achievements, the video failed to showcase him, leaving fans and cricket enthusiasts bewildered. Salim Malik, Wasim Akram, and Inzamam-Ul-Haq were featured, but Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, was conspicuously absent.

In a Facebook post, Wasim Akram expressed his shock at the omission, stating, “After long flights and hours of transit before reaching Sri Lanka, I got the shock of my life when I watched PCB’s short clip on the history of Pakistan cricket minus the great Imran Khan… political differences apart but Imran Khan is an icon of world cricket and developed Pakistan into a strong unit in his time and gave us a pathway… PCB should delete the video and apologise…” This reaction highlights the sentiments of cricket legends regarding the controversy.

This omission stirred backlash, with criticism pouring in for the PCB‘s perceived disrespect towards Khan’s legacy. Khalid Mahmood, a former PCB Chairman, demanded the video’s withdrawal, expressing frustration at the oversight and the disregard for Khan’s pivotal role in Pakistan’s cricket history.

A charismatic leader on and off the field, Khan shifted to politics post his cricket career. He established the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and assumed the role of Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. Nevertheless, his political voyage encountered legal hurdles, arrests, and controversies.

His absence in the tribute video serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding his legacy. Khan’s exceptional leadership during the 1992 Cricket World Cup remains etched in cricket history.

While Khan’s cricketing prowess and leadership continue to resonate, the controversy surrounding his exclusion in the PCB’s tribute video raises broader questions about recognition, acknowledgment, and the significance of honoring a nation’s cricketing heroes.

At the center of this controversy stands a reminder of Khan’s enduring influence on Pakistan’s cricketing odyssey. It’s crucial to duly recognize and celebrate his contributions. The absence of a cricketing legend in a tribute video starkly reflects the intricate interplay between sports, politics, and the narratives that mold a nation’s identity.