By Staff Reporter
Dozens of former international cricket captains, including Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have united in a plea for improved prison conditions for Imran Khan, describing the former Pakistan prime minister and renowned all-rounder as a figure deserving of dignity and proper medical care.
The petition, released on Tuesday, expresses deep concern over reports of Khan’s deteriorating health, particularly the significant loss of vision in his right eye during his more than two years in custody. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions in a series of cases he claims are politically motivated after his removal from office in a 2022 parliamentary no-confidence vote.
The campaign was spearheaded by former Australian captain Greg Chappell, a contemporary of Khan’s on the field, and includes signatures from his brother Ian Chappell, as well as Australians Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes. From England, the signatories feature Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower, while West Indies great Clive Lloyd and New Zealand’s John Wright have also added their names.
In their statement, the captains reflect on their shared history with Khan. “Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit.” They highlight recent medical updates, including a claim by Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, who told the supreme court last week that the former leader had suffered substantial vision loss in his right eye while detained. A medical board reported on Monday that swelling had subsided after treatment, leading to some improvement in his sight.
The petition underscores the principles of cricket. “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 the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon,” it said. “Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn — and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career.” It also urges the Pakistani government to provide immediate and adequate medical attention, ensure dignified treatment, and allow unhindered access to legal processes.
The office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told AFP it had not yet received the captains’ statement.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party welcomed the intervention in a post on its X account, thanking the international cricketers for speaking out against what it described as injustices against the former premier. The party expressed hope that the captains “will continue to extend their full support to Imran Khan until justice and fairness are achieved”.
PTI further appealed to current and former cricketers worldwide to voice support for Khan and condemn “this injustice”, adding that “one of cricket’s greatest legends is currently languishing in prison as the victim of a political vendetta and injustice, where he is being deprived of basic human rights and essential medical facilities.”
The appeal from the international captains follows similar concerns raised last week by members of Pakistan’s own cricketing fraternity. Former captain Wasim Akram, a key member of the 1992 World Cup-winning squad under Khan’s leadership, described the health reports as “heartbreaking” and urged authorities to provide the best possible care. Ex-fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he was “deeply saddened” by news of Khan’s vision loss.
Khan, who rose to fame as a cricket star before entering politics, served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote and has since faced multiple legal cases, which he maintains are designed to sideline him politically. The government has denied these allegations.
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