Imran Khan, A Leader Whose Cricketing Career Overshadowed His Political Journey

Imran Khan failed to pass his toughest political test since assuming office in 2018 due to defections in his party and cracks in the ruling coalition.

Pakistan's cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, who turned his shaky team into champions in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, failed to repeat the same charisma in politics where he was run out by a determined Opposition in the middle of his first innings.

Mr Khan, who effectively lost majority in the 342-member National Assembly, dissolved Parliament and called for fresh election on April 3 after the deputy speaker blocked a no-confidence motion against him.

However, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial in a landmark 5-0 verdict on April 7 struck down the deputy speaker's ruling and ordered the speaker to call a session on April 9 to organise the no-confidence vote.

Mr Khan failed to pass his toughest political test since assuming office in 2018 due to defections in his party and cracks in the ruling coalition. He is the first premier in Pakistan whose fate was decided through a trust vote.