Imran's charisma on view at Eden

Calcutta:

 Imran Khan's charisma is, perhaps, without parallel in the world of cricket.

If evidence was still needed, then it was on view at Eden Gardens during the India vs Pakistan World T20 match on Saturday.

Forget the fans, even the Calcutta Police officers on duty wished Imran "good night, Sir" when he left the Eden with Pakistan minutes away from defeat.

"The rush would be too much," Imran said, as an aide moved to coordinate his leaving with the police escort.

Despite Imran's motivational session with Shahid Afridi and his men, some hours before the top-billed clash, Pakistan could not open their India-specific account in the 'World' tournaments.

"Yeah, they couldn't put it across India... The wicket helped the spinners big time, yet we couldn't get it right... In fact, we didn't even have a specialist spinner in the XI," Imran told The Telegraph as he waited for the departure protocol to be put in place.

"This was my first visit to Eden Gardens after the 1989 Nehru Cup final, which we won... It has certainly changed," Imran observed, as he had a good look at the Club House's facade, which got recast in the days before the 2011 World Cup.

Imran's hopes had soared when India lost the third wicket (Suresh Raina's, on 23 in the fifth over), but MoM Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh prevented further inroads during a critical phase in the chase.

Seated just a seat away from another iconic former captain, Steve Waugh, Imran had almost jumped out of his seat in the Club House's box No.5 when Raina departed on the first ball.

Soon enough, though, Imran and his entourage (including former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and chief of staff Naeemul Haque) were left gasping at some of Afridi's moves.

"Chance lena hai... You cannot defend 118... Get the best bowler back fast," Imran was heard commenting.

Imran meant Mohammed Aamir who, strangely, wasn't bowled for as long as 10 overs after his opening spell of two.

Earlier, during Pakistan's struggle with the bat on a disappointing surface, Sheikh Rashid had come out with a gem: " Apne logon ki timing and tuning theek nahin hai."

Sheikh saheb had been spot on.

India's timing and tuning was, of course, applause-worthy. Most of the time, that is.

Two of Imran's teammates from the 1992 World Cup-winning XI - Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram - took time off from their duties for the official broadcaster to exchange greetings with him.

Pakistan's high commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, also dropped in to say "hello." He was accompanied by his wife.

Sanjay Manjrekar and V.V.S. Laxman came over too. The latter met Steve as well.

Brett Lee came to the legends' box largely to catch up with his former captain.

"I see more of Steve in India, than back home in Australia," Brett quipped, when asked how often he met his former captain.

In between, the Cricket Association of Bengal president, Sourav Ganguly, spent 10 minutes with Imran and Steve.

Those who managed to photograph Sourav, Imran and Steve sitting together got the shot of a lifetime.