Imran’s old pal expects Indo-Pak ties to improve

ROHTAK: Former cricketer Rajinder Goel, who holds the record for most wickets (750) in first-class

cricket

by an Indian, is hopeful that Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Imran Khan would take steps to improve India-Pakistan relations in the coming years.


Goel mostly represented Haryana and now stays in Rohtak. The 75-year-old leftarm spinner, famous for his loop and flight, also played for

Patiala

, Southern Punjab and Delhi.

In a first-class match, during Pakistan’s 1977-78 tour of India, Goel played against Imran in Amritsar. He was representing a power-packed North Zone team in that game.

“I found a spark in Imran. Despite being new to international cricket, Imran was hugely popular in both countries. He was and is a very charismatic person. He can bring both countries closer,” Goel told TOI.

Goel’s career spanned 27 years (from 1958 to 1985), and he played against different visiting Pakistani teams. “I played against various touring Pakistani teams as a youngster, and later as a veteran. I never heard any Pakistani player utter bad words or have ill feelings towards Indians during my cricketing career that spanned more than two decades,” he said. “And I found Imran to be a warm, jolly and easy going character.”

Goel wished that Prime Minister Imran Khan would exhibit the same sportsman spirit in the political arena as he showed on the cricket field. “While he (Imran) played, he won trophies on the cricket field and also won hearts off it,” stated Goel.

“If the Pakistani Army lets him work without any intervention, then he can come out with some positive solution about the ongoing issues that are plaguing both India and Pakistan. Those issues have been lingering since the past several decades and it is high-time a resolution is found out,” he added.

Goel has been bestowed the Bhim Award — Haryana’s highest

sporting honour

— by the state government for his achievements. He is also a recipient of the Col C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Goel never played for the Indian team, despite having enviable numbers in domestic cricket. He was a contemporary of Indian spin stalwart Bishen Singh Bedi, and it is widely believed that had he not been a peer of Bedi, Goel would have surely represented India in Test cricket.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.