Top former Cricketers rally behind jailed Imran Khan amid health concerns

2026-02-17 - 13:16

ISLAMABAD – World’s most celebrated former cricket captains have come together to issue a powerful joint appeal over the reported treatment of Imran Khan, one of cricket’s most iconic figures. The legendary Pakistani all-rounder and former Prime Minister has reportedly faced alarming health issues while in custody, including a serious deterioration of his vision. The statement, signed by cricketing icons spanning generations and continents—including Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev, expressed deep concern” about Khan’s reported conditions in detention over the past two and a half years. Highlighting his cricketing legacy, the former captains praised Khan for leading Pakistan to its historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory, a triumph hailed as a masterclass in “skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship” that inspired generations worldwide. Many of the signatories had competed against him or admired his career from afar, unanimously describing him as “one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen,” whose influence transcends cricket itself. But the appeal goes beyond cricket. The former leaders acknowledged Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, stressing that, regardless of political opinion, he was democratically elected to the highest office in his country, a fact they said is central to evaluating how he should be treated. The urgent trigger for this high-profile intervention is the reported deterioration of Khan’s health, including severe vision problems, and the reportedly harsh conditions of his incarceration. The former captains described these developments as “profoundly worrying” and warned that such treatment is inconsistent with basic human dignity. In a direct call to the Government of Pakistan, the statement urges immediate and ongoing medical attention from specialists of Khan’s choice, humane detention conditions with regular family visits, and fair, transparent access to legal processes without undue delay. The appeal concludes with a pointed reminder of cricket’s enduring values: fairness, respect, and integrity. “Cricket has long been a bridge between nations,” the statement says, “and respect endures once the stumps are drawn. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career. Authorities should honour it now by upholding decency and justice.” The statement is rare in its scale and authority, uniting cricketing legends from across the globe to speak out on a matter of both sport and human rights, highlighting the enduring influence of the game’s senior figures beyond the boundary rope. Khan is suffering slight vision loss in his right eye, sparking alarm among his family, supporters, and political allies. His legal team claims that months of blurred vision went untreated in prison, raising fears of permanent damage. Government doctors said his vision improved, but Khan’s family and party reject this, demanding access for his personal physician and proper hospital care. The situation intensified political tensions, with his sons seeking visas to visit him and supporters staging protests. International figures, including former cricket legends, have also appealed for humane treatment. Khan’s deteriorating eyesight has become both a medical emergency and a politically charged issue, highlighting broader concerns over the treatment of imprisoned political leaders in Pakistan. Report before Supreme Court: Is Imran Khan living in luxury inside Adiala Jail?