All-Rounder. Right-Handed-Batsman; Right-Arm-Fast-Bowler
Captaincy Tenture: 1982-84; 1986-87; 1988-92
From: Lahore.
Captaincy Style: Aggressive; authoritarian; innovative; flamboyant.
Unique Tactic: Loved to confuse the opposition by making exaggerated statements before the series. For example:
Though praising volatile spinner Abdul Qadir as a ‘wizard with the ball’ just before Pakistan’s tour of England in 1982 was not so off-the-mark, Khan actually asked Qadir to grow a prominent goatee so he could look like a wizard as well!
During an ODI tournament in Australia in 1989, Imran told the Australian press that Manzoor Ilahi was ‘the hardest hitting batsman in the world.’ Illahi was at best an average all-rounder. But when he came into bat, the Australian captain spread out the team believing Manzoor would hit out. Instead, he kept plucking easy singles due to the spread out field. He eventually did smash a six, though.
During an ODI tournament in Sharjah in 1988, before Pakistan’s game against India, Imran said that the Kashmir issue should be decided on the cricket field. Pakistan won that game.
Controversies: Imran kept playing Mansoor Akhtar despite his many failures.
He kept Iqbal Qasim out of the side, only to include him on the 1987 tour of India on the insistence of Vice-captain Javed Miandad.
Qasim Umar and Younas Ahmad alleged that Khan encouraged his players to ‘bring girls into their hotel rooms for one-night-stands.’
Khan refused to play two series at home in October because ‘it was the hottest month of the year in Pakistan.’
Often cursed fumbling players on the field.
Captaincy Peaks: Beating Australia 3-0 and then India 3-0 at home in 1982-83.
Beating England in England and India in India in 1987.
Winning an international ODI tournament in India in 1989.
Winning the 1992 World Cup.
Putting Abdul Qadir back into the side.
Grooming Wasim Akram.
Introducing Waqar Younus, Saleem Jaffar and Aquib Javed.
Captaincy Record: 48 Tests. 14 Won; 8 Lost; 26 Drawn.139 ODIs. 75 Won; 59 Lost