Massive challenges before Imran Khan
The general elections in the neighbouring Pakistan had evoked interest in India too for various reasons. Because, all the political situations and shifts in Pakistan have a considerable impact on India too. The establishment of strong democracy in Pakistan and its strengthening can prove to be beneficial for both countries. There was a reason to anxiously watch Pakistan election unfold with great interest. A group suspected to have deep links with the extremists was contesting in the Pakistan elections.
The group wanted to ride over leftover chunks of democracy to capture power and enter mainstream to find more acceptance to their hate rhetoric. If it had been successful, Pakistan and India would have entered into a dark phase as far as bilateral relations are concerned. Saffron terror used the same route in India, and has been partially successful too. This is something we need to have in perspective. On another hand, former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif who is carrying corruption charges on his tenure, sat in the jail and faced the elections.
This election was a massive challenge for Pakistan too. A constant threat of violence erupting at any time during the run up to the elections was a major possibility. The nation had to make this election a success to be able to retain the pressure by America, and the friendship with China. The election, however, has thrown up a very surprising verdict as its conclusion.
The party led by Imran Khan, that was assumed to be dormant, has turned into a big vote grosser this time. Imran Khan looks stands a fair chance of being the new captain of Pakistan now. With the results being out, there are allegations of vote tampering and mal practices. All the parties that lost, have been insisting that the election results be declared null and void. There are allegations of Pak army backing Imran Khan as well. With all these aspects, the results this time around are very significant for various reasons.
Primarily, those who had tried to peddle extremism have been rejected, and thus taught a lesson. Women had played a major role in the run up to the elections. This is something new and fresh in Pakistan. Nepotism has been rejected. Those who looted Pakistan have been sent home. Imran Khan’s personality is not made for politics. He has always been in international news for reasons such as cricket, and not politics. He ensured the world noticed Pakistan with his game. He had fans all across the globe, including India. He has the charisma to take Pakistan away from religious forces that have held the country to ransom. But he is now riding the tiger called the Pak army. It is highly impossible to think where this ride would land him.
He faces a lot of controversies himself, so one cannot be sure if the army will let him do his job. India had anticipated that past leaders of Pakistan would be able to do better, than their predecessors. But all of them were consumed by religious forces and were dictated by the army. Finally they just ended being corrupt politicians. Now Imran Khan stands in that space. One wonders how he would use the popularity he has gained through cricket and how he would help the future of Pakistan get better.
India committed a diplomatic blunder with its response to Imran Khan being elected. While the news of Imran Khan’s party getting a majority began to appear in the media, a minister said: “Pakistan Army is behind Imran Khan. So we do not trust him.” This could have been ignored if an RSS functionary or a BJP office bearer said this. But this response came from someone who represents the government.
A country had still not finalized its leader and India had already rejected him. This shows the political inexperience of the ruling dispensation. But, better late than never, India did mend its words eventually. It welcomed Imran’s election, and Khan also said he was keen on engaging in good relations with India, through bilateral talks. “If India can keep one step ahead, Pakistan can keep two steps in the same direction of resolution,” he said. This is a very positive outlook. Khan will also face a new challenge of managing the hugely intricate and challenging relationship with America which is expecting and pressurizing Pakistan to deliver more to make things better.
China and Pak relations are strengthening. On the personal front, Khan is said to be a man of many wives. All of them are at logger heads with each other. Plus to manage many ‘interests’ between America and China isn’t an easy task for the new leader either. It is going to be very difficult to work under the influence of Army. No matter how ‘trivial’ his personal side of life may be, it may claim his tenure as a good politician.
But then, it is imperative to expect that Imran be able to overcome these challenges and deliver good for his nation and for the others too. With that, we hope and wish, India and Pakistan enter a phase of warm relations with each other, ending the cold-enmity between both nations to progress well.
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Axar shifts focus to next IPL after KKR all but end DC's campaign
New Delhi (PTI): A beleaguered Axar Patel admitted that both his team's batters and bowlers let the side down after Delhi Capitals suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, virtually ending their IPL 2026 playoff hopes, while indicating the team had already begun looking ahead to the next season.
DC endured a miserable outing at home, managing only 142/8, which Kolkata Knight Riders chased down in just 14.2 overs, powered by a blistering unbeaten 100 from Finn Allen and his destructive stand with Cameron Green (33 not out) as the visitors tore apart the bowling attack.
With just eight points from 11 matches, DC are eighth on the table, while KKR revived their playoff hopes with a resurgent run, moving to seventh with nine points from 10 outings, though their road to the knockouts still remains difficult.
"For now, we'll go back and think about the mistakes we made. After that, obviously there's still a long journey ahead and next year will come too. So we'll think about what plans we can make for next year and what approach we should take," said Axar after the match.
"Based on that, we can also look at the players sitting on the bench and decide who can be given opportunities and what changes we can make," he added, hinting at a possible major overhaul next season.
With 200-plus totals becoming the norm this season, 142 was always going to be inadequate, and Axar admitted the score was well below par while also pointing out at poor judgement shown by the spinners while defending the modest total.
"I think the runs were definitely below par and at the same time the spinners made quite a few mistakes. Looking at the way the pitch behaved, I feel the spinners did make errors.
"At the same time, we lost five wickets in two-three overs, and I think that's where the momentum slipped away from us. That's probably something we need to think about because the same thing happened against CSK...we started well, and then suddenly wickets kept falling," he added.
He admitted the solutions to the issues could be found but players need to show the right mindset and character.
"See, you can't solve it in a complicated way. So, I think it's more about applying the right mindset. Even if you lose one or two wickets, you can still spend time at the crease and play through it. I think that's what needs to be applied, when wickets are falling in clusters, you need to absorb the pressure for an over or two," opined Axar.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was pleased to see a struggling Finn Allen finally rediscover his touch with the bat.
"I'm really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling first four or five games, working really hard, but the way he batted tonight was fantastic. But I want to praise our bowlers again.
"We did well because of them. And they've been doing it so well consistently, especially those middle overs and the death overs. Our spinners, Sunil Narine, Varun (Chakravarthy) and Anukul Roy, have been fantastic," he said.
"Fielding-wise, yes, we are working really hard. Our fielding coach has been really strict with us. And that's what has been helping us. The result which you've been seeing about the catches and the ground fielding, credit goes to our fielding coach as well," he added.
