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Imran: The Autobiography Of Imran Khan
163 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
49 people are currently reading
1073 people want to read
About the author
Imran Khan
203 books352 followersImran Ahmed Khan Niazi is a Pakistani Political Leader, Sports Celebrity & Philanthropist. He is the founder of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital (SKMCH) & Namal Knowledge City. Khan was one of Pakistan's most successful Cricket Captains. Leading his team to victory at the 1992 World Cup. He holds the world record for taking most wickets, best bowling strike rate & best bowling average in Test cricket by a captain. Besides his philanthropic work, he is the Chairman of (PTI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice), & Chancellor of the University of Bradford. In 2010, Khan was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame.
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi was born on 25th November 1952 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He attended the Cathedral School Lahore & later Aitchison College. Playing for Pakistan's national cricket team from 1971 to 1992, and serving as its captain intermittently throughout 1982–1992. With 3807 runs and 362 wickets in Test cricket, he is one of 8 world cricketers to achieve an 'All-rounder's Triple' in Test matches. He also served as UNICEF's Special Representative for Sports, promoting healthcare & immunization in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Thailand.
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi was born on 25th November 1952 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He attended the Cathedral School Lahore & later Aitchison College. Playing for Pakistan's national cricket team from 1971 to 1992, and serving as its captain intermittently throughout 1982–1992. With 3807 runs and 362 wickets in Test cricket, he is one of 8 world cricketers to achieve an 'All-rounder's Triple' in Test matches. He also served as UNICEF's Special Representative for Sports, promoting healthcare & immunization in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Thailand.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 23, 2020
Pakistan's current prime minister was once cricket's ultimate glamour icon.A formidable fast bowler,good batsman and a captain,who instilled a belief to win,in a team of perennial under achievers.
This is an interesting autobiography,published when he was at the height of his career.It is a candid one too,as he acknowledges that when he was initially picked to play for Pakistan,it was because of nepotism.(His cousins Javed Burki and Majid Khan had already played for Pakistan and helped him get in).
He had a forgettable Test debut,as a trundling medium pacer,who was thrashed,and soon dropped.He stayed back in England to study at Oxford,and talks about how lonely and homesick he was, during the cold English winters.
But then,he evolved,and he worked very hard.Within a few years,he was one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in cricket.In 1976,at Sydney,he destroyed Australia's powerful batting,single handedly.He had arrived as a fast bowler,who could take on the best.
But soon,he was not playing for Pakistan,but for Australian TV tycoon,Kerry Packer.Packer had paid the world's leading cricketers hefty amounts to play for him,and not their countries.
After two years,and a lot of controversy,Imran was back to play for Pakistan.He played a big part in a series victory against arch-rivals India.The following year,he remained injured on the Indian tour,was linked to Indian actresses and was crucified back home,as the series was lost.
By 1982,he was captain,following a players' revolt against Javed Miandad.Captaincy raised his game.He once again destroyed India's formidable batting line up in 1982,sealing a series victory by capturing 40 wickets.
But he paid a heavy price,suffering a stress fracture,that would keep him out of cricket for two years.This book is an account of his career,till that point.(His career would continue for another decade).Entertaining,and very readable.
Thankfully,this book contains nothing about politics,which would become his second career.
This is an interesting autobiography,published when he was at the height of his career.It is a candid one too,as he acknowledges that when he was initially picked to play for Pakistan,it was because of nepotism.(His cousins Javed Burki and Majid Khan had already played for Pakistan and helped him get in).
He had a forgettable Test debut,as a trundling medium pacer,who was thrashed,and soon dropped.He stayed back in England to study at Oxford,and talks about how lonely and homesick he was, during the cold English winters.
But then,he evolved,and he worked very hard.Within a few years,he was one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in cricket.In 1976,at Sydney,he destroyed Australia's powerful batting,single handedly.He had arrived as a fast bowler,who could take on the best.
But soon,he was not playing for Pakistan,but for Australian TV tycoon,Kerry Packer.Packer had paid the world's leading cricketers hefty amounts to play for him,and not their countries.
After two years,and a lot of controversy,Imran was back to play for Pakistan.He played a big part in a series victory against arch-rivals India.The following year,he remained injured on the Indian tour,was linked to Indian actresses and was crucified back home,as the series was lost.
By 1982,he was captain,following a players' revolt against Javed Miandad.Captaincy raised his game.He once again destroyed India's formidable batting line up in 1982,sealing a series victory by capturing 40 wickets.
But he paid a heavy price,suffering a stress fracture,that would keep him out of cricket for two years.This book is an account of his career,till that point.(His career would continue for another decade).Entertaining,and very readable.
Thankfully,this book contains nothing about politics,which would become his second career.
July 31, 2015
There's nothing outstanding about his life except one cricket match victory.
January 23, 2015
This one was written way before he won us the world cup in 1992. I read it ages ago in my early teens. I'd like to read it again someday and compare it to something he must have written after 1992, Shaukat Khanum hospital and his formal entry into politics.
December 8, 2013
Its a very very good book. He wrote it in 1983 I think. Whoever took my copy from me, please return it. Its a rare book. I love it.
September 12, 2025
#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads # Cricket
Imran Khan’s Imran: The Autobiography of Imran Khan is at once the story of a cricketer, a public figure, and a restless seeker. Written with the directness of a man used to speaking plainly, the book offers an unvarnished account of a life that never quite fit into a single mould—whether as the golden boy of world cricket, the reluctant playboy of London society, or the austere reformer and politician of Pakistan.
What makes the autobiography compelling is not simply the chronicle of cricketing glory but the oscillation between the intensely personal and the broadly national. Imran gives readers a glimpse into the rarefied world of English boarding schools and Oxford, of county cricket dressing rooms and World Cup triumphs, yet the pull of Lahore, of Pakistan’s turbulence, and of his own Pashtun heritage never leaves him.
The cricketing passages carry an authentic fire. He writes of the discipline of fast bowling, of leadership under pressure, of the mental toughness needed to drag a fragile Pakistani side into the ranks of champions.
The 1992 World Cup, which he famously lifted as captain, becomes less about sporting spectacle and more about willpower, vision, and a faith that bordered on destiny. But the book refuses to remain a sports memoir. Imran takes pains to unravel his complicated journey into politics and philanthropy, laying bare his frustrations with corruption, the inertia of Pakistan’s institutions, and the compromises demanded by public life. His voice alternates between the measured reason of a reformer and the righteous impatience of a man convinced that time is short.
At its core, the autobiography is also a meditation on faith. Imran confesses the tensions between the secular glamour of the West and the spiritual seriousness of Islam, between his public reputation as a playboy and his private conviction that Pakistan’s salvation lies in moral renewal. His narration is not without its contradictions, sometimes leaping from confession to defense, sometimes eliding uncomfortable episodes, yet this unevenness adds to the human texture of the book. The prose is not ornate; it moves briskly, a fast bowler’s rhythm rather than a novelist’s flourish, but the momentum keeps the reader engaged.
As a document, Imran captures a man who is both insider and outsider, both hero and critic of his culture, both celebrated athlete and vulnerable seeker. For those interested in cricket, Pakistani politics, or the psychology of leadership, it is essential reading. More than a sporting memoir, it is a testament to the restless drive of a man who has always believed that the game, like life, is never truly over until the last ball is bowled.
Imran Khan’s Imran: The Autobiography of Imran Khan is at once the story of a cricketer, a public figure, and a restless seeker. Written with the directness of a man used to speaking plainly, the book offers an unvarnished account of a life that never quite fit into a single mould—whether as the golden boy of world cricket, the reluctant playboy of London society, or the austere reformer and politician of Pakistan.
What makes the autobiography compelling is not simply the chronicle of cricketing glory but the oscillation between the intensely personal and the broadly national. Imran gives readers a glimpse into the rarefied world of English boarding schools and Oxford, of county cricket dressing rooms and World Cup triumphs, yet the pull of Lahore, of Pakistan’s turbulence, and of his own Pashtun heritage never leaves him.
The cricketing passages carry an authentic fire. He writes of the discipline of fast bowling, of leadership under pressure, of the mental toughness needed to drag a fragile Pakistani side into the ranks of champions.
The 1992 World Cup, which he famously lifted as captain, becomes less about sporting spectacle and more about willpower, vision, and a faith that bordered on destiny. But the book refuses to remain a sports memoir. Imran takes pains to unravel his complicated journey into politics and philanthropy, laying bare his frustrations with corruption, the inertia of Pakistan’s institutions, and the compromises demanded by public life. His voice alternates between the measured reason of a reformer and the righteous impatience of a man convinced that time is short.
At its core, the autobiography is also a meditation on faith. Imran confesses the tensions between the secular glamour of the West and the spiritual seriousness of Islam, between his public reputation as a playboy and his private conviction that Pakistan’s salvation lies in moral renewal. His narration is not without its contradictions, sometimes leaping from confession to defense, sometimes eliding uncomfortable episodes, yet this unevenness adds to the human texture of the book. The prose is not ornate; it moves briskly, a fast bowler’s rhythm rather than a novelist’s flourish, but the momentum keeps the reader engaged.
As a document, Imran captures a man who is both insider and outsider, both hero and critic of his culture, both celebrated athlete and vulnerable seeker. For those interested in cricket, Pakistani politics, or the psychology of leadership, it is essential reading. More than a sporting memoir, it is a testament to the restless drive of a man who has always believed that the game, like life, is never truly over until the last ball is bowled.
March 24, 2025
Imran: The Autobiography of Imran Khan is a compelling and insightful account of the life of one of Pakistan's most iconic figures. Written by Imran Khan himself, this autobiography offers readers a unique perspective into his journey, both personal and professional, from his early life as a cricket legend to his evolution into a prominent political figure.
Imran Khan opens up about his experiences on the cricket field, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his time playing for Pakistan and leading the team to victory in the 1992 World Cup. However, the book goes far beyond cricket, delving into his personal challenges, triumphs, and the motivations that have driven him throughout his life. His candid reflections on his humanitarian work, his political aspirations, and his vision for Pakistan provide an invaluable look into his mind and his mission for the country.
What makes this autobiography particularly engaging is Imran Khan's honest and reflective writing style. He does not shy away from addressing his mistakes, struggles, and controversies, giving the reader an authentic look at the highs and lows of his life. His journey from an international sports icon to a controversial politician offers a fascinating study of ambition, perseverance, and the complexities of leadership.
Overall, Imran: The Autobiography of Imran Khan is not just a memoir but also a source of inspiration for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, politics, and personal growth. Whether you're a fan of Imran Khan or simply interested in understanding the man behind the headlines, this book provides a thought-provoking narrative that is both informative and deeply personal.
Imran Khan opens up about his experiences on the cricket field, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his time playing for Pakistan and leading the team to victory in the 1992 World Cup. However, the book goes far beyond cricket, delving into his personal challenges, triumphs, and the motivations that have driven him throughout his life. His candid reflections on his humanitarian work, his political aspirations, and his vision for Pakistan provide an invaluable look into his mind and his mission for the country.
What makes this autobiography particularly engaging is Imran Khan's honest and reflective writing style. He does not shy away from addressing his mistakes, struggles, and controversies, giving the reader an authentic look at the highs and lows of his life. His journey from an international sports icon to a controversial politician offers a fascinating study of ambition, perseverance, and the complexities of leadership.
Overall, Imran: The Autobiography of Imran Khan is not just a memoir but also a source of inspiration for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, politics, and personal growth. Whether you're a fan of Imran Khan or simply interested in understanding the man behind the headlines, this book provides a thought-provoking narrative that is both informative and deeply personal.
January 30, 2025
I was genuinely intrigued by this book. Though it is quite old, it provides valuable insights into Imran life and the many forms of cricket he played, such as World Series Cricket, County Cricket, and Pakistan Cricket. Imran also recounts the harsh criticisms he often faced throughout his career, which were largely unwarranted and fabricated to stir drama through the press and find reasons for Pakistan's losses. The book offers a good glimpse into Imran's character. While he had a privileged childhood, he encountered numerous challenges and doubts about his career as he progressed through the ranks of Pakistan's domestic cricket and, eventually, county cricket. It illustrates that we all face challenges in sports or life, and like Imran, we should strive to push through adversity, which he truly embodied. His love for the game also meant he experienced many forms of cricket and reflected deeply on the successes and failures of both Pakistan and county cricket systems. In the book, Imran demonstrates his passion for the game by providing feedback on how these systems could nurture and develop young cricketers, which I believe is an action-oriented approach that undoubtedly impacted at least the Pakistan cricket board and system.
September 7, 2022
i read this a decade ago,highly recommended
June 26, 2024
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February 6, 2025
The legend
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews