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Former cricketers turn to support Imran Khan in Pakistan polls
ISLAMABAD, July 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Former Pakistani cricket stars have
come out in support of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan as the country
prepares to go to the polls on Wednesday.
“It was in your leadership skip @ImrankhanPTI that we became world
champions in 1992. It is in your leadership that we can again become a great
democratic country,” tweeted Wasim Akram.
“You have got what it takes Skipper @ImranKhanPTI but it will take
everything you have… No one can doubt your Honesty and thats what is
require in our country…An honest LEADER,” tweeted former captain Waqar
Younis.
BehindYouSkipper became one of the country’s top trending hashtags as
celebrities and former cricketers came to Khan’s support.
Former Australian star Dean Jones also lent his support.
“I am not a political person… but @ImranKhanPTI I would have loved to
play under…. great leader and would do well for Pakistan if given the
opportunity,” he tweeted.
Imran Khan was catapulted to global fame as a World Cup cricket champion,
but the man known in the West as a celebrity playboy is now seeking to lead
Pakistan as a populist, devout and anti-corruption reformist.
Khan’s chances of becoming prime minister on July 25 are believed to be
his best since entering politics two decades ago. But critics allege the
electoral playing field is being fixed for the erstwhile fast bowling all-
rounder by the powerful military.
Khan has denied the claims and decried the venality of Pakistan’s
political elite, promising to build an “Islamic welfare state” if his
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party forms the next government.
Recent polls show PTI’s popularity climbing nationally.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1506 hrs