Fourteen former international cricket captains, including Indian stars, have written to Pakistan's government requesting improved medical treatment for imprisoned former PM Imran Khan. The cricket legends expressed alarm over reports of Khan's deteriorating eyesight while in custody since 2023.
ISLAMABAD — Fourteen retired international cricket captains have written to Pakistan’s leadership demanding improved prison conditions and medical treatment for Imran Khan, the former cricket star turned politician who has been behind bars since 2023.
The group of cricket legends, which includes Indian icons Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, sent their appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting that Khan receive treatment with “dignity and basic human consideration.” Their letter highlighted worries about reports suggesting Khan’s vision has declined significantly during his incarceration.
“Recent reports concerning his health — particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody — and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern,” the former captains stated in their correspondence.
Pakistani officials have not yet responded publicly to the letter, though prison authorities maintain Khan receives adequate facilities. His defense attorney Salman Safdar, who visited Khan recently, has supported these claims about improved conditions.
Members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party concluded a multi-day protest outside parliament Wednesday after medical professionals reported substantial improvement in Khan’s right eye condition and confirmed no problems with his left eye.
The 73-year-old Khan achieved cricket immortality by leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup before transitioning to politics. He held the office of prime minister from 2018 until his removal in 2022, followed by his imprisonment in 2023 on corruption and additional charges.
Khan maintains his innocence, claiming all legal proceedings against him stem from political persecution rather than legitimate criminal activity.
Health concerns intensified in late January when Khan required hospitalization for eye treatment. His legal representative Safdar revealed last week that Khan had lost approximately 85% of vision in his right eye.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissed such reports as “propaganda” the previous day. Government representatives, referencing physicians who examined Khan, stated his right eye vision had shown marked improvement, though Khan’s relatives and personal doctor say they cannot verify his condition without direct access.
The letter’s signers include notable former captains such as Australia’s Ian Chappell, West Indies’ Clive Lloyd, Australia’s Allan Border, England’s Michael Brearley, England’s David Gower, New Zealand’s John Wright, and Australia’s Kim Hughes, according to Australia’s The Age publication. “Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma and competitive spirit,” their letter stated.
The cricket veterans also pressed Pakistan to provide “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing.”
Former Pakistani cricket stars including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar have publicly voiced similar concerns following encouragement from former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja for Pakistani players to speak up.
Khan began his international cricket career in 1971 facing England and assumed captaincy duties in 1982. Considered among cricket’s greatest all-around players, he stepped away from the sport shortly after securing Pakistan’s sole World Cup championship in 1992. He established the PTI political party in 1996 and ascended to national leadership in 2018.
Parliamentary opposition forces removed Khan from the prime minister’s position in April 2022 through a no-confidence motion, leading to his eventual imprisonment following court verdicts. Khan contends his removal resulted from a conspiracy backed by the United States involving domestic political opponents and Pakistan’s military establishment — allegations rejected by Washington, military officials, and Prime Minister Sharif, who replaced him.
Even while incarcerated, Khan continues to wield considerable influence within Pakistan’s political landscape.