Cricket legends from around the world, including Indian superstars Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have united in a humanitarian plea for Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, demanding better treatment for the cricket icon behind bars.
The 73-year-old Khan, who transitioned from cricket stardom to politics, has remained incarcerated since August 2023 after being found guilty in multiple cases he claims were politically motivated revenge following his removal from office through a 2022 parliamentary no-confidence vote.
Concerns mounted last week when Khan’s legal representative informed Pakistan’s Supreme Court that the former cricket champion had suffered substantial vision loss in his right eye during his imprisonment. Medical officials reported Monday that swelling has decreased following treatment and his eyesight has shown improvement.
Setting aside the tense relationship between India and Pakistan, which included military confrontations in the past year, former Indian team leaders Gavaskar and Kapil Dev added their signatures to a petition voicing “deep concern” regarding Khan’s treatment and jail conditions.
“Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit,” the petition stated.
“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.
“As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon.”
The petition garnered support from numerous cricket luminaries, including former Australian captains Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, as well as Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes from Australia.
English cricket stars Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower also signed the appeal, joined by West Indies legend Clive Lloyd and New Zealand’s John Wright.
The cricket veterans “respectfully” called upon Pakistan’s government to guarantee immediate and proper medical care, respectful treatment, and unrestricted access to legal proceedings for Khan.
“Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn—and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career.”
Khan’s cricket career spanned from 1971 to 1992, during which he played 88 Test matches and 175 one-day internationals for Pakistan, leading the national team to their sole ODI World Cup championship in 1992.
Speaking to Reuters, Khan’s son Kasim Khan emphasized that while his father’s health remains the immediate priority, other critical issues include “his freedom, abiding by correct human rights processes and also the rule of law and just ensuring that he’s allowed a proper, fair trial.”
