SRINAGAR: Fourteen former international cricket captains from six countries, including Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have issued a rare joint appeal to the Pakistan government, urging it to ensure humane treatment, adequate medical care and fair legal access for jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.
The appeal, signed by some of the most celebrated figures in world cricket, comes amid growing international concern over the reported deterioration in Khan’s health during his imprisonment at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The former Pakistan captain, who led his country to its only Cricket World Cup title in 1992, has been in custody since August 2023 and is currently serving prison sentences in multiple cases.
The signatories stressed that their appeal was made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity and was not intended to interfere with Pakistan’s judicial process. Instead, they called upon the authorities to ensure that Khan is treated in accordance with internationally accepted humanitarian standards.
“We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan,” the letter states.
It adds that recent reports about the deterioration of Khan’s health, particularly concerning his eyesight while in custody, have caused profound concern among former players who either competed against him or admired his achievements on the cricket field.
The appeal says that regardless of political differences, Imran Khan deserves to be treated with dignity befitting a former elected Prime Minister and one of the greatest cricketers the game has produced.
“As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon,” the letter says.
The former captains have specifically urged the Pakistan government to provide Khan with immediate and continuous medical treatment from doctors of his own choosing, ensure humane conditions of detention in accordance with international standards, including regular meetings with close family members, and guarantee fair and transparent access to legal proceedings without undue delay or hindrance.
The appeal emphasises that these requests are humanitarian in nature and are made without prejudice to the legal proceedings pending against Khan.
The initiative was reportedly spearheaded by former Australia captain Greg Chappell. According to former England captain Michael Atherton, writing in The Times of London, Chappell brought together former captains from different cricketing nations to issue a united appeal amid mounting concern over Khan’s health.
Speaking to the media, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said he had no hesitation in signing the appeal after being approached by Chappell.
“Greg Chappell messaged asking if I would sign the appeal along with the other former skippers and I agreed straightaway,” Gavaskar said.
Recalling his long association with the former Pakistan captain, Gavaskar said he had known Imran Khan since he was 17 years old when India toured England.
“I have known Imran since he was 17 years old… Whatever the political differences there, we believe that he should be looked after in a humane manner and given proper medical care,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying.
Former India captain Kapil Dev also confirmed his support for the appeal.
“The former international captains and I have signed the letter. I stand by what is said in the letter regarding Imran Khan,” Kapil told The Indian Express.
Besides Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, the appeal has been signed by former captains Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Kim Hughes, Steve Waugh and Belinda Clark of Australia; Michael Brearley, Michael Atherton, David Gower and Nasser Hussain of England; Clive Lloyd of the West Indies; and John Wright of New Zealand.
The signatories noted that many of them had either played against Imran Khan or shared the field with him during his international career spanning more than two decades. They described him as one of cricket’s finest all-rounders whose leadership inspired generations of players across the world.
The letter recalls Khan’s role in leading Pakistan to its historic World Cup triumph in 1992 and says his achievements earned him worldwide respect among players, administrators and cricket fans alike. It also notes that beyond cricket, he served as Pakistan’s democratically elected Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
Reports cited in the appeal allege that Khan’s health has deteriorated significantly in prison, including serious concerns regarding the loss of vision in his right eye. Michael Atherton reported that the former Pakistan captain was close to losing sight in one eye.
The appeal also refers to concerns previously expressed by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture regarding Khan’s detention conditions. According to the communication cited by the signatories, Khan has allegedly spent prolonged periods in solitary confinement, remained confined to his cell for up to 23 hours a day, had severely restricted contact with the outside world and been kept under constant camera surveillance.
Support for improved medical care for Khan has also emerged from within Pakistan’s cricket fraternity. Former Pakistan captains and teammates Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have publicly urged authorities to ensure that Khan receives proper medical treatment. Similar calls have been made by Ramiz Raja, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi.
Concluding their appeal, the former captains said cricket has historically served as a bridge between nations and peoples despite political differences.
“Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn — and respect endures,” the letter says.
Pakistani authorities have previously maintained that the criminal cases against Imran Khan have been pursued in accordance with the law and have rejected allegations that his prosecution is politically motivated. Government officials have repeatedly stated that no individual, irrespective of political stature or public standing, is above the law.
