'Delete the video and apologize': Wasim Akram slams PCB for leaving Imran Khan out of tribute video

Imran Khan captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup victory.

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Wasim Akram has criticized PCB for the conspicuous absence of their only ODI World Cup-winning captain, Imran Khan. PCB released a video on social media on Pakistan’s cricketing achievements, the video was posted on Pakistan’s Independence Day, August 14,

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) honored the sport’s legends and their contributions to the nation’s cricketing history on Monday in honor of the nation’s 76th Independence Day with an emotional video tribute.

The video, which lasted 2 minutes and 21 seconds, traced Pakistan’s cricketing development beginning with its first appearance on the world stage in 1952. The story began with the glorious World Cup victory in 1992 and went on the glorious achievements of Pakistan on the cricket field.

Making history isn't just about one day, it's about the legends we create and the tales we script 💫🏆 Pakistan Cricket Team – a legacy that echoes through time 🌟#BeyondJustOneDay pic.twitter.com/grC0YVC5Xi

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 14, 2023

The celebratory film also caused controversy since Khan was shockingly left out. Khan was a towering figure who inspired Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup. Many believe Imran’s absence, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister after retiring from cricket, was motivated politically.

Imran was detained once again earlier this month, making it two detentions for Imran in the last four months. The former prime minister of Pakistan received a three-year prison term and a lifetime ban from politics after an Islamabad court found him guilty of engaging in “corrupt practices.”

“I got the shock of my life”- Wasim Akram on PCB omitting Imran Khan from tribute video; wants the board to delete it and apologize

Imran Khan is revered for leading Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup win in Australia, which remains their only triumph in the ICC event. The 40-year-old inspired the young Pakistan team to victory for the very first time.

Former fast bowler Wasim Akram, who was one of the biggest match-winners, for Pakistan, who also played under the former captain’s leadership, took to social media to express his shock at the former cricketer’s exclusion. He also urged the PCB to delete the video and apologize.

“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 apologize,”Wasim posted on social media platform X on Thursday, August 16.

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…

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) August 16, 2023

Imran Khan is considered to be the greatest cricketer produced by Pakistan, and apart from winning the World Cup in 1992, he led them to a famous trilogy of drawn test series with the best side of that time, the West Indies, as well as major ODI triumphs in Sharjah and the Nehru Cup (Mini World Cup of sorts in India in 1989).