SRINAGAR: Fourteen former international cricket captains from five Test-playing nations have urged the Pakistan government to ensure improved prison conditions and medical care for former Pakistan captain and ex-prime minister Imran Khan, amid concerns about his health, according to a report by The Age.
The appeal, drafted by former Australia captain Greg Chappell, was delivered to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday afternoon.
The letter was signed by several former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev from India; Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes from Australia; Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower from England; Clive Lloyd of the West Indies; and John Wright.
In their statement, the former captains expressed deep concern over reports of Khan’s deteriorating health, particularly worsening vision, and the conditions of his detention over the past two and a half years. They said that principles of fairness and respect demand that a former national leader and global sporting figure be treated with dignity and basic human consideration.
Chappell said the initiative followed reports about Khan’s declining health in Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, where he has been held since being jailed on corruption charges more than two years ago. The letter urged authorities to ensure immediate and continuous medical treatment by qualified specialists of his choice, humane detention conditions in line with international standards, regular family visits, and fair access to legal processes.
Gavaskar described the situation as troubling and recalled his long-standing association with Khan beyond their on-field rivalry. Supporters have cited severe vision loss in Khan’s right eye and restricted access to family members and personal doctors as reasons for urgent action.
Earlier, former Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis also called for urgent medical care for Khan in prison, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Khan’s son, Sulaiman Khan, alleged that his father is being held in harsh conditions, including confinement in a small cell with limited electricity and restricted access to reading material.
Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been in custody since August 2023 following his removal from political office. His recent corruption convictions have resulted in a combined prison sentence of 31 years.
