Imran Khan’s long career in Pakistani politics produced many unforgettable images. In 2014, he stood atop a shipping container to rage against the US and his own nation’s elite; in 2018, he delivered his memorable first address as prime minister, holding up illustrations of what malnourishment did to children’s brains, and promising to turn the country into an Islamist welfare state.

For millions around the world, however, none of these pictures from his later life will ever be as memorable as the spectacle of nearly 40-year-old Imran holding up the world cup that Pakistan’s cricketers had just won. That’s certainly true for me. I can vividly recall sitting on the floor on that spring day in 1992, a young boy in Kolkata, watching the charismatic team captain’s victory speech.

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