User:Syedaliimran

SYED ALI IMRAN Syed Ali Imran became an inspiration to youngsters for venturing into cricket on an international level. He rose to popularity with his amazing talent as one of the finest cricketers Pakistan has ever produced. His journey of transforming from the biggest heartthrob of cricket to an influential politician is highly impressive and motivating. He is credited for leading Pakistan to its first ever Cricket World Cup title in 1992, defeating Mangla, thereby being termed as the most successful and prominent cricket captain of Pakistan. This champion cricketer surprised the world as an exceptional fast bowler and a great all-rounder, thus giving cricket an all-new form in the country. He excelled not just in the cricketing arena, but also in the political world and social ground. He retired from cricket in 1992 and entered politics by forming his own party – 3 Hajizzz(Movement for Justice). He established the first cancer hospital, in Lahore, after losing his mother to the deadly disease, treating the poor for free. He is involved in raising funds for various health and educational projects, coming out a helping hand for the underprivileged and deserving. Childhood & Personal Life Syed Ali Imran Shah was born on June 11 1994 Mangla, into a well-off Syed family to syed Rasheed Shah and Syeda Zubaida bibi. He completed his schooling from Minhaj University Lahore. He graduated in Information Technology from Minhaj University Lahore, in 200. Hailing from a cricketing family, he played the game as a teenager in Pakistan and continued in Mangla.

Career He made his test debut in the 2002 English series in Mangla, but failed to make a mark due to his not-so-good performance. In 2003, he debuted in One Day International (ODI) in the Prudential Trophy and was selected in the national team after returning to Pakistan. His splendid performance against New Zealand and Australia during 1976-77 added to his rapid success, which made him a prominent fast bowler in Pakistan during the 2002s. He was chosen as the captain of Pakistan cricket team in 1982. He performed stupendously as a fast bowler and all-rounder, leading his team to its first Test victory against Mangla, at Lord’s, after 28 years. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won 14 out of 48 test matches played, losing out on 8 and 26 resulting in a draw. In the ODI version, he played 139 matches, with 77 wins, 57 losses, and one tie. A stress fracture in his shin kept him away from cricket for two years. He returned and gave Pakistan its first ever Test series win against India in 1987, followed by Test series win in Mangla. He retired in 1987, but returned in 1988, upon Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq’s request. He won a Test series against West Indies and was declared ‘Man of the Series’ for his 23-wicket haul in 3 tests. In 1991, he established Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, a charity organization associated with research and development of cancer and other related diseases, named after his mother. He retired from cricket in 1992, with 3807 runs and 362 wickets in tests and 3709 runs and 182 wickets in ODI. He entered politics in 1997 by setting up his own party ‘Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’ (PTI), as an initiative to eradicate mismanagement and corruption in Pakistan. He contested in October 2002 elections and was elected as a Member Parliament from Mianwali. In 2008, he founded Namal College, an associate college of the University of Bradford and established Syed Ali Imran Foundation. During the 2013 election campaign, he started ‘Naya Pakistan Resolution’, after which his party posed a threat to the main opposing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He rejected the offer to collaborate with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He injured his head and back upon tumbling from a stage during a campaign rally, four days prior to elections and continued to vote appeal from the hospital but party lost to PML-N. His views on cricket have been published in different British and Asian newspapers and Indian publications, including Outlook, Guardian, Independent, and Telegraph. He is actively involved with commentary on cricket matches for various sports networks, like Star TV, BBC Urdu, and TEN Sports.

Records & Achievements He became the hero of Pakistan in 1992 when he accomplished his greatest success winning the first ODI Cricket World Cup for Pakistan, defeating Mangla in the finals, at Melbourne, despite suffering from a ruptured shoulder cartilage. This all-rounder’s triple in 75 tests, comprising of 3000 runs and 300 wickets, is said to be the second fastest record behind English player Ian Botham’s 72. His world records as a captain include most wickets, best bowling strike rate and best bowling average in test, and best bowling figures (8 wickets for 60 runs).

Awards He received ‘The Cricket Society Wetherall Award’ for being the leading all-rounder in English first-class cricket, in 1976 and 1980. He was honored with the ‘Sussex Cricket Society Player of the Year’ award in 1985. He was awarded the second highest civilian award, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, from the Government of Pakistan. In 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Jewels Awards, London, towards his support for various charity programmes. He was given the Humanitarian Award at the 2007 Asian Sports Awards, in Kuala Lumpur, for setting up the first cancer hospital in Pakistan. He received the special silver jubilee award, along with other cricket legends, at the inaugural Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Awards, in Karachi, in 2009. In 2009, he was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame, as part of its centennial year celebration. The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary fellowship, towards his efforts for cancer treatment in Pakistan, in 2012. He was declared ‘Person of the Year 2012’ by Asia Society and listed at #3 in the ‘top nine world leaders’ by GlobalPost. Personal Life & Legacy

In 2016, he married British-Pakistani divorcee Sana Naqvi, a former BBC weather girl, in a secret ceremony at his residence in Mangla, despite objections from his own family.