10 Asian Cricketers Who turned Politician - The Name Pakistan

Shahzada Husnain June 28, 2021

10 Asian Cricketers Who turned Politician:

Cricket is a sport which is followed very passionately in the sub-continent. It is like the heartbeat of a sports lover in the sub-continent. Cricketers inspire many with their hard work and determination. In this segment, we will have a look at cricketers from Asia who turned politicians in the second innings of their lives. Though some failed miserably, some have tasted success in it.

#1. Imran Khan


Nobody has tasted success in politics like Imran Khan did. Khan is one of the best all-rounders to have played the game. When been the poster boy of Pakistan, Khan represented Pakistan in 88 Tests and 175 ODIs. He drove Pakistan to their maiden World Cup win in 1992. 


After resigning from proficient cricket, Khan established an ideological political party named Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in 1996. Following 22 years of consistent battle, Khan at long last won the overall decisions in 2018 and turned into the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

#2.Arjuna Raturanga


Arjuna Ranatunga is regarded highly for his leadership skills in cricket. He led Sri Lanka to its maiden World Cup title win in 1996. Amidst the war and non-illustrious image of cricket, Sri Lanka proved to be the underdogs for the 1996 World Cup. Ranatunga pioneered Sri Lanka to at least one of the prominent forces in world cricket.

After retiring from cricket, Ranatunga followed the footsteps of his father and joined Sri Lanka Hizb ut-Tahrir. He's currently the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.


#3.Navjot Singh Sidhu


Navjot Singh Sidhu was famous for his flamboyant batting style in cricket. Sidhu preferred hitting balls over the bowlers' heads. His ability to hit sixes frequently earned him the title of 'Sixer Sidhu'. 


Sidhu is one of the best orators in politics. He contested his first Parliamentary election in 2004 from Amritsar and held the seat till 2014. Sidhu got nominated for the Rajya Sabha in 2016. However, he resigned to hitch the Indian National Congress in 2017. He then contested assembly elections from Amritsar East and is currently, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs within the state.

#4.Kirti Azad


Kirti Azad is a former Indian cricketer who represented the country within the 1980s. He was a part of the Indian team that won the planet Cup under Kapil Dev's captaincy. Azad represented India in 25 ODIs and seven Tests.


Azad is the son of the previous Chief Minister of Bihar - Bhagwat Jha Azad. After retiring from cricket, Azad followed his father's footsteps and contested Parliamentary elections on a BJP ticket from Darbhanga, Bihar. However, in his third term of Lok Sabha, he quit the BJP to hitch INC in 2019.

#5.Mohammad Azharuddin


Mohammad Azharuddin is taken into account together with the foremost successful captains of Indian Cricket. He has led India in three World Cups - in 1992, 1996, and 1999. Azharuddin was famous for his wristy elegance and went on to attain over 9000 runs in ODIs and over 6000 runs in Tests for India.


His cricket career came to an abrupt end after getting implicated during a match-fixing scandal in 2000. He entered politics in 2009 after winning the Parliamentary election from Moradabad on an INC ticket.

#6.Chetan Chauhan


Chetan Chauhan may be a former Indian cricketer who wanted to play within the 1970s. He wants to open the innings in Tests alongside Sunil Gavaskar. Chauhan played for Delhi and Maharashtra in domestic cricket and has represented India in 40 Tests.


Chauhan entered politics in 1991. He was elected as a Member of the Parliament from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh twice. he's presently the Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports in Uttar Pradesh 

#7.Aamir Sohail


Aamir Sohail is Pakistan's former opening batsman. He was famous for his aggressive batting skills and played 156 ODIs and 47 Tests for Pakistan. The famous banter between Sohail and Ventakesh Prasad from the planet Cup 1996 remains fresh in every 90s cricket fan's mind.


Sohail served as the Chief selector for Pakistan and at various other cricket administrative positions before entering politics. He later joined former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's party, Pakistan Muslim League, with a belief to bring change in society.

#8.Mohammed Kaif


Mohammad Kaif hails from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Kaif shot to fame after leading India to its maiden U-19 World Cup title win in 2000.


He was soon drafted into the national side. He was famous for pioneering high fielding standards and represented India in over 125 ODIs. He also led UP to its maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2005-06. 


In 2014, he joined Indian National Congress and contested the parliamentary election from Phulpur. However, he couldn't taste success and lost his maiden outing to BJP candidate Keshav Prasad Maurya.

#9.Vinod Kambli


Vinod Kambli was a toddler prodigy. He had shot to fame after his iconic unbeaten partnership with Sachin Tendulkar during a school tournament. 


He is the sole cricketer to attain three consecutive centuries in three innings against different nations. Moreover, he's the fastest Indian to succeed in 1000 runs in Tests. 


Kambli joined the Lok Bharti Party and was appointed the Vice-President of the party. He contested the 2009 assembly elections from Vikhroli, Mumbai but lost the campaign.

#10.Sanath Jayasuriya


Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the foremost feared batsmen in world cricket. He revolutionized batting within the mid-90s as nobody else did. He's the sole cricketer to attain 10000 runs and pick 300 wickets in ODI cricket. He features a strike rate of 91 in ODIs and is third on the list of leading six-hitters in ODI cricket.


He retired from international cricket in 2011. However, he entered into politics in 2010 and is the only cricketer to possess a lively political career while representing his country in ODI cricket.

Jayasuriya was elected Member of Parliament from Matara district and served as the deputy Union Minister of Postal Services within the UPFA government led by Mahendra Rajapaksa.



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