Former world cricket legends voice concern over Imran Khan’s health in jail

ISLAMABAD: Former international cricket captains from around the world have expressed deep concern over the news of the imprisonment and health of former Pakistan captain and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and appealed to the Pakistani government to pay immediate attention.

The joint statement said that Imran Khan’s services to cricket are valued globally. As captain, he led Pakistan to a historic victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, which was a shining example of skill, perseverance, leadership, and high sportsmanship, and which has influenced generations beyond borders.

The statement said that many of the former captains who signed it had competed against Imran Khan on the field, played cricket with him, or made his all-round abilities, charismatic leadership, and competitive spirit their idols.

The former captains also mentioned that Imran Khan was democratically elected to the highest office of his country, regardless of political differences.

The statement expressed deep concern over recent reports on Imran Khan’s health, especially the alleged alarming decline in his eyesight during detention, and the conditions of his imprisonment for the past two and a half years.

The former captains said that cricket teaches us the values ​​of fair play, honor, and respect that go far beyond the confines of the field, and a global sports icon and former national leader like Imran Khan should be treated with dignity and humanity.

They demanded that the government of Pakistan provide Imran Khan with immediate, adequate and continuous medical facilities and allow him to be treated by specialist doctors of his choice.

He should also be provided with humane and dignified detention conditions in accordance with international standards, including regular access to close family members.

The statement also stressed that he should be given fair and transparent access to legal proceedings and that justice should be served without any unnecessary delay or obstruction.

The former captains said that cricket has always played the role of a bridge between nations. Respect remains after the competition on the field, and Imran Khan represented this spirit in his career.

This appeal is made in the spirit of the game and common humanity and is not intended to influence any legal proceedings.

The endorsers of this appeal include Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brierley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clarke, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Stephen Waugh, and John Wright.