A CRICKET legend turned politician was the talk of the town last week as he hosted a dinner to raise �150,000 for his presidential campaign.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan talked to a packed-out crowd, with more than 700 paying guests, at The Centre, in Farnham Road, Slough, on Sunday November 18.

Mr Khan, heading the political movement Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is contesting the country's presidential election next year.

Mo Baig, Slough representative for the PTI campaign, said: "Imran Khan entered the graceful surroundings amongst thunderous applause and slogans."

He added: "When he took the stage for his speech, he revealed that he had doubts about the success of the event [due to its political nature] and paid tremendous tribute to the organisers for pulling off such a huge success - a complete sell out."

Mr Khan talked about his belief the PTI was 'poised' to sweep into power and reassured the bumper crowd no party in Pakistan could challenge his party.

Mr Baig added: "Although the largest facility within The Centre was hired to accommodate more than 700 paying guests, the venue was still sold out almost a week in advance.

"Party workers gave up their �100 per head seats, deciding to remain on their feet for the duration of the evening. Their seats were then resold to heavy demand during the run up to the event day, generating extra funds."

He added people turned up to get tickets on the night, but ended up missing out.

The venue was draped with specially-made banners displaying the PTI colours of green and red for the event and, after Mr Khan addressed the crowd, he auctioned goods to raise extra funds. Two cricket balls, used by Mr Khan during an international match in the 1980s, raised �4,000 alone.

Further donations, including a single pledge of �10,000, pushed the total raised to �150,000.

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