Imran Khan targeted in 'assassination attempt' – former Pakistan cricket captain and PM injured

Imran Khan, the cricket great who went on to become prime minister of Pakistan, was injured in a targeted assassination attempt on Thursday, his supporters said.

The political party that he founded, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said the 70-year-old was attacked as the seventh day of a march began in Wazirabad.

Khan's political ally Farrukh Habib, who serves as the PTI's central information secretary, wrote on Twitter: "Imran Khan is injured, may Allah protect him, the whole nation should pray for the life of Imran Khan."

The PTI said it was an assassination attempt.

The party added: "Imran Khan is our Red Lion – today an attempt was made to cross that Red Lion!"

Reports said he had been shot in the leg. A video was posted on the PTI Twitter account showing Khan waving to supporters after the attack, with the party saying his condition was "stable" and that he would be taken to hospital.

Imran Khan was shot in the leg but was stable while being taken to hospital. He waived at supporters too. #عمران_خان_ہماری_ریڈ_لائن_ہے pic.twitter.com/XizoAQzPax

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 3, 2022

Sibghatullah Virk, the head of PTI’s central media department, said: "The march was completely peaceful, this is a murderous attack!"

As a cricketer, Imran Khan was a fast bowling all-rounder who played 88 Tests, scoring 3,807 runs and taking 362 wickets, while also playing 175 ODIs.

He played his last Test in January 1992, ending his international career in March of the same year by leading Pakistan to victory at the Cricket World Cup, playing a starring role in the final against England at the MCG.

He became prime minister of Pakistan in August 2018 and was ousted after a no-confidence vote in April of this year.