Published 18:23 IST, August 16th 2023
'Delete the video': Wasim Akram receives the 'shock of his life' from PCB, demands apology
The controversy emerged after the Pakistan Cricket Board released a video on August 14, 2023, in honor of Pakistan's 76th Independence Day.
- SportFit
- 3 min read
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found itself at the center of a significant controversy that has ignited strong reactions from cricket enthusiasts both within and outside the nation. The controversy emerged after the PCB released a video on August 14, 2023, in honor of Pakistan's 76th Independence Day. However, this video, which was intended to celebrate Pakistan's rich cricketing history, notably omitted any mention of Imran Khan.
3 things you need to know
- Imran Khan helped Pakistan win their maiden and only ODI World Cup title in 1992
- After retiring from cricket, Khan became a politician
- He was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018
Wasim Akram slams PCB, asks them to apologise
Imran Khan, who led the 'Men in Green' to their first and sole World Cup victory in 1992, is a highly esteemed figure in Pakistan's cricket annals. He also served as the country's Prime Minister from August 2018 to April 2022 before being ousted through a no-confidence vote in Pakistan's parliament. The absence of any acknowledgment of his contributions in the video has triggered widespread discontent among fans and experts.
The video, which traced Pakistan's journey from its debut in international cricket in 1952 and highlighted some of its most significant moments, faced intense criticism for its exclusion of Imran Khan. The omission is particularly significant considering his role in guiding the team to a World Cup triumph and his broader influence on Pakistan's cricket history.
Former pace bowler Wasim Akram, who was a key figure in the Imran Khan-led team's victories, utilized social media as a platform to express his astonishment at the absence of Imran Khan in the video. He also called on the PCB to remove the video and issue an apology for the oversight.
Imran Khan is currently lodged in a jail in Pakistan after being convicted in a corruption case on August 5, 2023. He has been sentenced to a three-year jail term in the Toshakhana corruption case. The Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader has blamed the Pakistan Army for his arrest and has alleged conspiracy.
Image: PCB
Updated 19:58 IST, August 16th 2023