Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq recalled an incident when the 1992 World Cup-winning captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan “took over the captaincy” in the BCCI Platinum Jubilee Cup Match against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata back in 2004.
The BCCI had invited Pakistan for a One Day International (ODI) to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the Indian cricket board and current PM Imran Khan was one of the guests for the occasion.
In the BCCI's Platinum Jubilee match, Sourav Ganguly-led Indian cricket team decided to bat first and posted a total of 292 runs with Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag scoring fifties.
Chasing the total, Pakistan made a great start with the fifties from then skipper Inzamam and Shoaib Malik, and later Salman Butt hit a brilliant unbeaten century to take the Men in Green to a six-wicket win over the hosts India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Recalling the famous match, Inzamam recalled there was a lot of pressure on his team not only because of the occasion and atmosphere, but also the presence of Imran Khan being Pakistan’s most powerful personality – who was watching the game from Pakistan dressing room in Kolkata.
He further recalled how the legendary cricketer had in a way taken over the captaincy from him, revealing former all-rounder had sent out a message for him during the drinks break of Pakistan’s chase which turned out to be crucial for the tourists against India.
Inzamam said on his YouTube channel: “It was just only one match so the pressure was much more. The second big pressure was of Imran Khan, who was watching the match from our dressing room. I have played under Imran Bhai. He had kind of taken over captaincy.”
He further added, “Salman Butt was batting with me. He suffered cramps. So a teammate came running in with a message. I thought I’m the captain who is sending me messages. He told me that Imran Bhai has said Salman Butt is having troubles with his hamstring, tell him to retire hurt, take treatment, and then go back onto the field. I sent Salman back. He came back after treatment and scored a hundred.”
Noteworthy, former cricketers from both India and Pakistan along with politicians and leaders were invited for the grand match.
