Pakistan cricket community condemns attack on ex-PM and captain Imran Khan

• The Wazirabad rally attack on former Prime Minister and cricket hero Imran Khan
• Babar Azam and former players Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Mohammad Hafeez condemned
• Imran Khan is safe, but with bullet shot on leg

The attack on former Prime Minister and cricket hero Imran Khan during his rally in Wazirabad, eastern Pakistan, on Thursday was strongly condemned by the country’s cricket community, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and former players Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Mohammad Hafeez.

Imran Khan sustained injuries to both of his legs after a shooter opened fire on a campaign truck that he was riding in. The shooter was taken into custody at the site, and no organisation has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack.

In 1992, Imran Khan captained Pakistan to their first World Cup victory. At the time of the attack, Khan was leading a protest convoy of supporters for his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in Wazirabad. They were on their way to Islamabad as part of Khan’s campaign to force the government to hold early elections. The attack took place while Khan was leading the protest convoy. Imran is said to be in good health and has been admitted to a hospital. According to the reports, one person was killed and seven others were injured in the attack.

Following the event, some of Pakistan’s former and current cricketers took to Twitter to condemn the attack and pray for the wellbeing of the former Pakistan captain. He was known for encouraging and promoting young players, picking them literally from the streets and making them into international stars. Some of the cricketers took to Twitter to condemn the attack and pray for the wellbeing of the former captain.

Current Pakistan captain Babar Azam said in a tweet, “Strongly condemn this heinous attack on @ImranKhanPTI. May Allah keep Kaptaan safe and protect our beloved Pakistan, Ameen.” Other current and former Pakistan cricketers joined him in condemning the attack.

Strongly condemn this heinous attack on @ImranKhanPTI. May Allah keep Kaptaan safe and protect our beloved Pakistan, Ameen.

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 3, 2022

“Heard about the attack on @ImranKhanPTI. Alhamdolillah he is fine and in good spirits. I strongly condemn the attack,” wrote former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Twitter. He also released a video message to express his views on the incident. In the message, he said such incidents should end as hearts were not strong enough to listen to such news now.

Wasim Akram, one of the players groomed by Imran Khan, said he was deeply disturbed by the incident in Wazirabad.

“Deeply disturbed about the events unfolding in Wazirabad. Our prayers are with Imran BHAI and everyone there. We as a country must come together and not allow anyone to distort our national unity,” wrote Akram in his social media post.

Deeply disturbed about the events unfolding in Wazirabad . Our prayers with Imran BHAI and everyone there. We as a country must come together and not allow anyone to distort our national unity.

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) November 3, 2022

Another cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez prayed for Imran’s safety and speedy recovery.

“Strongly condemn the attack on @ImranKhanPTI. May he stay safe & get well soon. Aameen (Praying hands emoji),” tweeted cricketer Mohammad Hafeez.

“The Dangerous game of bloodbath is on in Pakistani politics.. Allah Reham #ImranKhanInjured, #PakistaniPolitics,” wrote former player Faisal Iqbal in his tweet.

Spinner Saeed Ajmal wrote in his tweet,”Strongly condemn the Attack on @ImranKhanPTI May he Get well soon.”

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