*ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan was catapulted to global fame as a World Cup cricketchampion, but the man known in the West as a celebrity playboy is nowseeking to lead Pakistan as a populist, religiously devout, anti-corruptionreformist.*

Khan’s shot at becoming prime minister in elections on July 25 — believedto be his best chance since entering politics two decades ago – is colouredby allegations the electoral playing field is being fixed for the erstwhilefast bowler.

Khan has denied the claims and decried the venality of Pakistan’s politicalelite, promising to build an “Islamic welfare state” if his PakistanTehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party form the next government.

Recent polls show PTI’s popularity climbing nationally, while arch-rivalNawaz Sharif’s incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party limpsinto the contest.

Former prime minister Sharif was ousted last year and has been behind barssince returning to the country earlier this month to face a corruptionconviction, removing Khan’s most formidable foe from the contest.

In contrast Khan has cut a relaxed image on the campaign trail, lookingincreasingly confident of his chances.

In the West, the man who led Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup champion cricketteam is typically seen through the prism of his celebrity and memories ofhis high-profile romances, including a nine-year marriage to Britishsocialite Jemima Goldsmith.

Back home the thrice-married 65-year-old cuts a more conservative personaas a devout Muslim, often carrying prayer beads and nurturing beliefs inliving saints.

Earlier this year, he married his spiritual advisor Bushra Maneka, withwedding photos showing the new bride clad in an ultra-conservative veil —an astronomical departure from his days plastered in the British tabloids.

And just last month he roused the ire of women after saying feminism has“degraded the role of a mother”.

To his legions of fans, he is uncorrupted and generous, spending his yearsoff the pitch building hospitals and a university.

“We want change because the current system is corrupt, and we are going tohave to face many difficulties,” said PTI supporter Jamil Ahmed.

*– ‘End the hatred’ –*

Khan entered Pakistan’s chaotic politics in 1996 promising to fight graft.

For his first decade and a half as a politician he sputtered, with PTInever securing more than a few seats in the national assembly.

“Sports teaches you that life is not in a straight line,” he told AFPearlier this year. “You take the knocks. You learn from your mistakes.”

In 2012 PTI’s popularity surged with hordes of young Pakistanis who grew upidolising Khan as a cricket icon reaching voting age.

Khan admits his party was ill-prepared to capitalise on the gains duringthe 2013 election. But that was then.

“For the first time, we’ll be going into elections prepared,” he has saidpreviously of 2018.

Five years later PTI is running a nationwide campaign including areas farfrom its northwestern and urban strongholds.

To shore up its chances of winning, PTI has begun luring candidates awayfrom Sharif’s party, stirring controversy among long-time party loyalistswho say Khan is relying on the same corrupt politicians he once denounced.

Some fear Khan’s mercurial nature is unsuited to being prime minister.

He has raised eyebrows by increasingly catering to religious hardliners,particularly over the hugely inflammatory charge of blasphemy, spurringfears his leadership could embolden extremists.

“It’s hard to judge anyone when they’re in opposition because the realchallenge is when you take over,” said journalist Arifa Noor. “On thedownside he’s playing up the religion card.”

Khan has also been attacked for his repeated calls to hold talks withmilitants and for his party’s alliance with Sami ul Haq, the so-calledFather of the Taliban whose madrassas once educated Taliban stalwartsMullah Omar and Jalaluddin Haqqani.

And earlier this month, the al Qaeda-linked Harkat-ul-Mujahideen announcedtheir support for Khan’s party, with pictures of the US-designatedterrorist group’s leader posing with PTI hopefuls posted online.

Still, many, including Khan, believe this is the best political opportunityhe will ever have.

“After the 25th of July, God willing we will reunite this divided nation,”he said during a rally in Lahore days before the polls. “And end thehatred.” – APP/AFP