BFF-41 Sri Lankan great Sangakkara says has no ‘ambitions’ to be next Imran Khan

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SRILANKA-CRICKET-POLITICS

Sri Lankan great Sangakkara says has no ‘ambitions’ to be next Imran Khan

COLOMBO, Aug 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Sri Lanka’s batting legend Kumar Sangakkara
Monday said he had no intention of making a foray into politics after local
media reported he was eyeing next year’s presidential elections.

Sangakkara’s comments came amid a media frenzy comparing him to Imran
Khan, the cricketing great who is set to be sworn in as Pakistan’s prime
minister on Saturday.

“I would like to put to rest speculation and rumour once and for all,
confirming that I do not harbour any ambitions for political office,”
Sangakkara, 40, said in a statement.

“I never have, and, with enormous certainty, I can say I never will.”

Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition as well as the main opposition are yet to name
their candidates for next year’s presidential election.

Several cricket legends in the country have successfully switched to
politics.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga is a minister in the
current government, while former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya served as a deputy
minister after he retired from the international game.

Sangakkara quit Test cricket in August 2015 after aggregating 12,400 runs
from 134 matches with 11 double centuries.

The former skipper, considered one of the all-time greats, steered his side
to the final of the 2011 World Cup before losing to India.

BSS/AFP/RY/1525 hrs