Twenty-one former cricket captains from various countries have sent a letter to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling on the government to treat former Prime Minister Imran Khan humanely and provide him with proper medical care. The letter was confirmed to Al Jazeera by four signatories late on Sunday.
The former captains requested that the government allow an independent assessment of Khan's health condition, restore weekly family visitation rights, and provide necessary medical treatment without delay. Khan, 73, has been detained for the past three years on various charges.
On Tuesday, Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Khan's transfer from Adiala prison to the privately run Shifa International Hospital before midnight Thursday. However, on Saturday, Khan's party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed an appeal with the court after he was moved to a public hospital instead of the private facility as per the ruling.
Khan is regarded as one of the world's greatest cricketers, having led Pakistan to its first World Cup victory in 1992 and holding the record for the most international wins as Pakistan's captain.
The letter, dated August 23, is a second approach, following a February appeal by 14 former international cricket captains about Khan's deteriorating health. “We write not as politicians, but as former colleagues and opponents whose ties on the cricket field transcend borders and disagreements,” the letter stated.
Signatories include cricket legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, John Wright, and David Gower. Notably, no former Pakistani cricketers signed, though many stars have previously expressed concern over Khan's health.
The letter welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling to transfer Khan to a private hospital for examination by a medical board comprising his personal physicians and his sister, Dr. Uzma Khan. The former captains urged the medical board to complete an independent assessment, particularly regarding the loss of vision in his right eye, respect weekly family visitation rights, and implement recommended treatments without delay.
“Whatever the legal and political debates surrounding the case, ensuring that the medical process mandated by the court's ruling is completed is not a contentious request,” the letter emphasized. The Pakistan government has not yet responded to Al Jazeera's request for comment.
Greg Chappell, who initiated the letter both times, said the letter aims to raise a human rights issue, not political interference. He has previously praised Khan's charisma on the field and in politics: “People fear Imran because of his aura, personal power, and charm.”
The list of 21 signatories includes Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Sunil Gavaskar, Lee Germon, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev Nikhanj, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Stephen Waugh, and John Wright.
