ISLAMABAD – Imran Khan’s rise to the top of Pakistani politics wasprophesied 16 years ago – in a book about the history of Cartmel CricketClub, *reportedlink*TheMail.

The former cricketer, who is due to take oath as prime minister on August11, was a relative unknown when he graced the wicket in the historic SouthLakes village as his Worcestershire CC side visited in April 1974 for abenefit match against Lancashire.

An account of the day was published in the 2002 book called ‘Twixt, Cockand Fairy, written by local historian John Glaister and Tracey Williams.

It read: “The 21-year-old had the fair ladies swooning on this day.Ultimately he was to become possibly the greatest Pakistani all-rounder ofall time and in 1992 he led his country to a world cup triumph.

“Cartmel Park was just a little different to cricket in Peshawar I think.And one day at some time in the future, Imran is likely to hold the highestpolitical office in Pakistan. You read it here first.”

Mr Glaister, who played for Warton Cricket Club from 1975 to 2002, said itwas not ‘rocket science to prophesy a glittering political future’.

He said: “With his privileged background and a deeply embedded desire towin, the runes were set fair.”

“His school was the Eton of Pakistan.”

The captain of the Worcestershire team at the time was Norman Gifford MBE,who was born and bred in Ulverston.

He was one of the beneficiaries for the day, as was Lancashire’s, HarryPilling.

Four thousand people enjoyed a ‘glorious afternoon’ and drank the beer tentdry – raising more than £500, according to the Westmorland Gazette’s reportof the day.

The report said: “Two unusual incidents happened in the game.”

“A six by d’Oliveira (Basil) nearly wrecked the bar tent and another wentclean out of the ground to be caught in the adjoining field by a youth in apurple shirt.”