An assassination attempt on former Pakistan Prime Minister and ex-cricketer Imran Khan has been 'strongly condemned' by the nation's current cricket stars.
Khan, who famously captained Pakistan in their victorious 1992 Cricket World Cup campaign, was shot in the leg during a political rally in Wazirabad, Punjab. The 70-year-old was leading a march to the capital city Islamabad to demand a general election after he was ousted as Prime Minister in April, having lost a no confidence vote in parliament.
During the march, a gunman opened fire on a container truck Khan was standing on alongside party officials and images have shown him getting taken away from the scene in a vehicle with a bandage on his right leg.
Khan's senior aide Raoof Hasan told the AFP news agency: "This was an attempt to kill him, to assassinate him." A suspect has been arrested by police, who have released a video of him where he says: "He [Khan] was misguiding the people. I wanted to kill him. I tried to kill him."
Current Pakistan captain Babar Azam tweeted: "Strongly condemn this heinous attack on @ImranKhanPTI. May Allah keep Kaptaan safe and protect our beloved Pakistan, Ameen."
Batter Fakhar Zaman wrote: "Highly condemn the attack on @ImranKhanPTI. My prayers for the health and speedy recovery of all the injured people and deceased. May Allah SWT protect Pakistan, Ameen."
Imam Ul Haq added: "Violence in any form could never be accepted. Prayers for the quick recovery of @ImranKhanPTI saab. May Allah keep everyone safe ameen".
Bowler Hassan Ali wrote: "I highly condemn what happened in Wazirabad today, let us all stay strong and support each other. Everyone's safety should be our first priority. Sabse pehle Pakistan"
Khan's former teammate Wasim Akram added: "Deeply disturbed about the events unfolding in Wazirabad . Our prayers with Imran BHAI and everyone there. We as a country must come together and not allow anyone to distort our national unity."
