News
Fourteen past international captains have written to Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying they are alarmed by reports of Imran Khan’s worsening health in prison and want him treated “with dignity and basic human consideration”. The letter, drafted by Greg Chappell and seen by The Age, calls for “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention” for the 71-year-old former all-rounder and prime minister.
Key facts first
– Letter signed by Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Michael Brearley, David Gower, Steve Waugh, John Wright, Kim Hughes and Belinda Clark.
– Concerns focus on an eye complaint that, according to family members, has left Imran almost blind in one eye.
– Family say they have not been allowed to visit for months; requests for personal doctors to examine him have gone unanswered.
– Imran is serving multiple sentences – 10, 14 and 17-year terms on corruption charges and a now-overturned seven-year term linked to his marriage.
Quotes, exactly as written
“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.”
“Imran Khan’s contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory – a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders.”
“Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike.”
The 14 signatories say they are not entering Pakistan’s domestic politics but feel obliged to speak because Imran’s cricketing legacy “belongs to the whole game”. They remind the government that humane treatment of prisoners is a basic right under international law.
Broader cricket reaction
Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar voiced similar concerns last week. Ajay Jadeja urged current Pakistan players to “raise their voices” if basic medical care continues to be withheld.
A trickier legal backdrop
Supporters claim the charges against Imran are politically driven. Ahead of the 2024 general election – an election his party was barred from contesting yet still won the most votes via independents – an additional sentence linked to his marriage drew widespread condemnation before being quashed.
Analysis, minus the jargon
Former players rarely wade into another country’s judicial affairs; the list of names here indicates how seriously the cricket community views the allegations of neglect. Eye injuries are delicate: left untreated, infection or permanent loss of vision is possible. That medical point, rather than partisan politics, is what the signatories emphasise.
Australia’s Steve Waugh has long campaigned for fair treatment of athletes post-retirement. England’s Michael Atherton, now a respected broadcaster, tellingly added his signature – neither man is known for impulsive gestures. Their involvement suggests the group weighed both optics and substance before going public.
Next steps
There is no formal response yet from Islamabad, though local media hinted over the weekend that Imran might be moved to hospital. That has not happened. If the stand-off continues, expect louder voices from within Pakistan cricket circles, particularly with a busy home season looming and the eyes of a World Cup-conscious ICC on governance standards.
For now, the captains have offered a simple ask: decent medical care and “dignity”. Given Imran’s stature – 88 Tests, 362 wickets, a World Cup lift and a five-year spell as prime minister – it feels a modest request.
