Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev are among 14 former cricket captains from around the world who have appealed for the humane treatment of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan during his incarceration. The appeal comes amid reports that Khan has lost 85% of vision in his right eye since being imprisoned in August 2023. Australian cricket great Greg Chappell also joined the plea after personally reaching out to Gavaskar, who welcomed his support.
Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has reportedly expressed his intention to add his name to the growing list of cricket icons advocating for Khan. Gavaskar described it as “a heartfelt request to the authorities there to give him proper medical care.” Khan, once closely allied with Pakistan’s military establishment, fell out with the powerful institution nearly three years ago and has been held in Rawalpindi jail since then, with mounting concerns over his health.
The joint letter, signed by cricketing legends including Allan Border, Ian and Greg Chappell, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark, John Wright, Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley, David Gower, and Clive Lloyd, urges immediate medical attention and humane prison conditions for Khan. “Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit,” the letter reads. “Beyond cricket, Imran served as prime minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office.” The cricketers stressed that Imran deserves dignity, respect, and fair access to legal processes in line with international standards, emphasizing that health and humane treatment transcend politics.
In response to these concerns, Pakistan’s Supreme Court formed a medical board to assess Khan’s condition. The board has reportedly indicated that his health is improving, with unconfirmed reports suggesting he may have been transferred to a hospital for treatment.
The united appeal by cricketing legends underscores that, beyond politics, every individual deserves basic human dignity and care, particularly a figure who has made a lasting impact both on the cricket field and as a national leader.