Cricket champ turned reformist Imran Khan eyes polls victory

ISLAMABAD: 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, religiously devout, anti-corruption reformist.

Khan’s shot at becoming prime minister in elections on Wednesday, believed to be his best chance since entering politics two decades ago, is coloured by allegations the electoral playing field is being fixed for the erstwhile fast bowler 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, while arch-rival Nawaz Sharif ’s incumbent Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) party limps into the contest.

Former prime minister Sharif was ousted last year and has been behind bars since returning to the country earlier this month to face a corruption conviction.

In contrast, Khan has cut a relaxed image on the campaign trail, looking increasingly confident of his chances.

Khan entered Pakistan’s chaotic politics in 1996 promising to fight graft.

For his first decade and a half as a politician, he sputtered, with PTI never securing more than a few seats in the national assembly.

“Sports teaches you that life is not in a straight line,” he said earlier this year.

“You take the knocks. You learn from your mistakes.

“For the first time, we’ll be going into elections prepared,” he has said previously of 2018.

Some fear Khan’s mercurial nature is unsuited to being prime minister.

Still, many, including Khan, believe this is the best political opportunity he will ever have.

“After July 25, God willing, we will reunite this divided nation,” he said during a rally in Lahore days before the polls.

“And end the hatred.”