It’s politics at home

ISLAMABAD, March 28: India-Pakistan clash at Mohali is a day away but a battle of nerves is already on at the home ground of politics. World Cup winner-turned politician Imran Khan is being bowled all kinds of odd balls for calling India "the favourite" for the March 30 World Cup semi-final. His Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) party, however, chose to hit only the ones thrown by Imran`s arch rival in current politics â€" the PML-N, ruling his home playing ground of Punjab. Two stalwarts of the party, Senator Pervez Rashid and Rana Sanaullah, told Imran to return to the game he once played and leave politics to those who know how to play it. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah advised him to become a cricket coach. "Since when have these Johnnies become cricket experts," asked PTI`s secretary political affairs Ghulam Akbar in his reverse swing. Imran Khan expressed his opinion about the potential of Indian team as an expert, and on the basis of the team`s batting strength, Mr Akbar said, reminding the PML-N that "Imran also said that if Pakistan maintained its present tempo it will win the cup". And the suggestion of coaching is welcome but for the PML-N leaders because "the nation cannot afford a leadership in the future that is bereft of knowledge and common sense," he said. "If somebody wants to compare the calibre of the leadership of the PTI and that of the PML-N, Rana Sanaullah better arrange an open debate between Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif on television so that wheat could be separated from chaff," the PTI political affairs secretary added. The two parties have been engaged in a war of statements since the dramatic release of US national Raymond Davis. The PTI alleges that PML-N is hand in gloves with the PPP in Raymond Davis`s release. On the other hand the PML-N had recently released a questionnaire, asking Imran Khan to tell the nation about his `secret` meeting with the US ambassador earlier this month.