As Imran Khan faces health concerns in jail, old stories resurface — from Sourav Ganguly’s career-changing advice to Saleem Malik’s on-field threat and Pervez Musharraf’s surprising midnight call.
WEBDESK – MediaBites Editorial – Source BBC Urdu – Abdul Rasheed Shakoor
As concerns grow over the health of former Pakistan captain and ex-prime minister Imran Khan, remarkable cross-border cricket stories involving Sourav Ganguly, Saleem Malik, and Pervez Musharraf have resurfaced — revealing how rivalry, respect, and risk shaped an unforgettable era.
A simple line that changed Ganguly’s career
With reports emerging that Imran Khan’s eyesight has deteriorated in jail, former cricket captains worldwide have expressed concern. Among them is Sourav Ganguly, who once described Imran’s words as “magic” that transformed his career.
In his autobiography A Century Is Not Enough, Ganguly recalls meeting Imran Khan in 1997 at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission. At the time, the young Indian batsman had just been dropped from the team and was struggling to process the setback.
Imran’s message was simple yet powerful.
“You must fly high. When you see dark clouds, the only way to deal with them is to fly even higher.”
Imran, who had himself faced exclusion during his career, told Ganguly that setbacks were temporary — but belief must remain permanent. The advice struck deep.
Months later, Ganguly produced one of the finest all-round performances of his career — scoring 222 runs and taking 15 wickets in a series, ironically against Pakistan. He was named Player of the Match in four consecutive ODIs — a rare feat in international cricket.
Ganguly later wrote: “Imran’s words were like magic.”
Zaheer Abbas fixes the flaw
Years later, when Ganguly’s form dipped and he lost captaincy in 2005, it was another Pakistani great, Zaheer Abbas, who helped him rediscover his rhythm.
Playing county cricket in England, Ganguly struggled against pace. Zaheer advised him to stand more upright and open his chest slightly while facing fast bowlers.
The technical tweak worked.
In 2007, against Pakistan, Ganguly scored 534 runs in a three-Test series at an average of 89, including a career-best 239 — his only Test double century.
Saleem Malik’s on-field threat
Cricket diplomacy often hides fierce sledging.
During a Toronto ODI series, Ganguly dismissed Saleem Malik in one match. Before the next game, Malik allegedly walked up to him and warned:
“Today I will hit you so hard you will remember it.”
Instead, Ganguly dismissed him again.
At the time, Ganguly was a young cricketer, while Malik was one of Pakistan’s senior stars. The intimidation didn’t work — but it revealed the intense psychological battles of Indo-Pak contests.
The midnight adventure — and Musharraf’s call
Perhaps the most dramatic story came during India’s historic 2004 tour of Pakistan.
Security was tight. Hotels resembled fortresses. But one night, Ganguly slipped out through a back door with friends to visit Lahore’s famous Food Street in Gawalmandi.
He tried hiding under a cap — but fans recognized him. Soon, crowds gathered. Journalists spotted him. Police escorted him back.
The next morning, the phone rang.
It was the office of President Pervez Musharraf.
According to Ganguly, Musharraf’s tone was polite but firm:
“Next time you want to go out, inform security. We will arrange everything. Please avoid such adventures.”
Ganguly later admitted that facing Wasim Akram’s deadly inswingers was less frightening than receiving that call.
Rivalry, respect, and rare friendships
Despite political tensions, personal bonds flourished. Ganguly has often spoken warmly about Inzamam-ul-Haq, recalling the hospitality shown during their mutual tours.
The 2004 series became symbolic — India winning both ODI (3-2) and Test (2-1) series in Pakistan, while fans from both sides celebrated cricket beyond politics.
A larger legacy
Today, as Imran Khan remains behind bars and global cricketing figures express concern for his health, these stories echo louder.
They remind fans that beyond politics and prison walls stands a cricketer whose words once shaped rivals, whose leadership inspired generations, and whose influence crossed borders even in the fiercest rivalry of world sport.
Cricket, after all, remembers.
51 Comments
Logging into win888betlogin is super easy. I appreciate sites that don’t make you jump through hoops to start playing. That’s a win in my book win888betlogin
Been using 236bet1 for a while now and I’ve had a good experience. Easy to navigate and generally pretty smooth sailing. Not bad at all 236bet1
Gotta say, 655bet3 is pretty solid. I’ve been having a blast using them! 655bet3
Some truly interesting information, well written and loosely user pleasant.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the
most useful blogs on the web. I most certainly will recommend this blog!
Been using the jilipark app for a while now. It’s alright, gets the job done when I’m bored. Could be better but hey, it’s something. Worth a look at jilipark app if you’re looking for a time killer.
Alright, so jjwinvip, I’ve tested a few other sites. Seems safe enough and I got my payout without delays. I still need to play with more confidence to recommend it 100%, but you can give it a look jjwinvip.
88vinvt, not my favorite but sometimes gives you a win more likely than other sites. You can try 88vinvt. GLHF!
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its aided me. Good job.
I like this site because so much useful stuff on here :D.
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
I will immediately grasp your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me realize so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
I consider something genuinely interesting about your weblog so I saved to my bookmarks.
It is actually a nice and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoy reading on this internet site, it holds excellent blog posts.
Utterly written content, Really enjoyed studying.
The article manages to deliver valuable information without relying on overly technical language that might confuse casual readers.
I like the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great articles.
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
The content answers important questions without unnecessary filler or distracting elements.
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Howdy! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
I was studying some of your articles on this internet site and I conceive this web site is very informative ! Retain putting up.
hey there and thank you on your information – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from proper here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this website, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I may just get it to load properly. I had been thinking about if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances occasions will often have an effect on your placement in google and can harm your high-quality score if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could glance out for much extra of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you replace this again soon..
Some truly great information, Glad I observed this. “I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.” by Charlotte Bronte.
Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a risky decision outstanding post! .
Some truly nice and useful information on this internet site, also I believe the layout has got fantastic features.
Very good written story. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
You have brought up a very good details, regards for the post.
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website :).
My brother suggested I may like this blog. He was entirely right. This submit truly made my day. You can not consider simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
I think this site has got very wonderful written content content.
I am glad to be a visitant of this perfect blog! , thankyou for this rare information! .
Spot on with this write-up, I actually suppose this website needs way more consideration. I’ll most likely be once more to read rather more, thanks for that info.
I like this site because so much useful stuff on here :D.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty value enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the web shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Hey! I simply would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice data you have got here on this post. I might be coming again to your blog for more soon.
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks
I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very useful handy
I believe that is among the so much important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. However want to commentary on some normal things, The website style is ideal, the articles is truly excellent :D. Excellent activity, cheers
I wanted to put you that little remark just to say thanks a lot as before for those splendid views you have shown above. It was so pretty open-handed of people like you to supply easily all most of us could have supplied as an e-book in order to make some cash for themselves, mostly since you might well have tried it in the event you decided. The thoughts also acted as the fantastic way to fully grasp that many people have a similar eagerness just like my personal own to realize a lot more with regard to this matter. I am certain there are a lot more fun sessions ahead for people who look over your blog.
Loving the info on this web site, you have done outstanding job on the posts.
Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Cheers
Thanks , I have recently been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
I am glad to be a visitor of this complete blog! , thanks for this rare information! .
Great post, I conceive people should learn a lot from this weblog its really user pleasant.