Imran Khan: Cricket legends sign letter of ‘deep concern’ for Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister

A group of 14 cricket greats have demanded better treatment in prison for Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan captained Pakistan to the men’s Cricket World Cup title in 1992 before serving as the nation’s Prime Minister between 2018 and 2022, but he has been imprisoned since August 2023. Khan, 73, was convicted in a string of cases relating to various charges of corruption and revealing state secrets.

He has denied all the charges and has been acquitted in some cases. Concerns have emerged over Khan’s treatment in prison, with his lawyer telling Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that he had lost 85 percent of the vision in his right eye because of delayed treatment while in custody. Despite tense political relations between India and Pakistan, former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev are now among a group of distinguished former players who have signed a petition, released on Tuesday and verified by The Athletic, demanding better conditions for Khan.

The open letter, also signed by former England quartet Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower, writes of their “deep concern” for Khan’s well-being, including the “alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody”. “Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit,” the letter read. “Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period.

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Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country.” The letter called for Khan to be allowed “immediate, adequate and ongoing” medical attention from qualified specialists, to have “humane and dignified conditions of detention”, to be allowed “regular visits by close family members” and for his “fair and transparent access to legal processes”. The former cricketers added: “Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. 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.” Former Australia captain Greg Chappell and his brother Ian Chappell also signed the letter, alongside ex-Australia internationals Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes as well as Clive Lloyd from the West Indies and John Wright from New Zealand.

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