7 former Australian captains appeal for Imran Khan's humanitarian treatment

Former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan has been leading a life of imprisonment for a long time on corruption charges. Recently, reports of his harrowing life in prison have emerged. There have also been allegations that the Pakistan government is not providing maximum cooperation for his treatment. In this context, former and current cricketers had expressed concern. Now, seven former Australian cricketers have made a humanitarian appeal regarding Imran.

They have called upon Australia's Foreign Minister to express humanitarian concern regarding the imprisoned Imran. The letter sent to the minister was signed by Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. They made it clear that they were writing "not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains" who "felt compelled to speak up."

The letter further stated that the group wanted to make it clear that it was not taking any position on the legal or political matters against Mr Khan. They described it as a matter for Pakistan. Even though it is a political matter, access to medical treatment for any person in detention is a matter of basic humanity. And they expressed concern because Imran was being deprived of that right.

Imran has been imprisoned in a jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 on corruption charges. The 73-year-old former captain was recently taken to Islamabad for a health check-up. He was later sent back to jail. His two sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, expressed deep concern about their father's safety. They claimed that attempts were being made to kill Imran.

Earlier, 21 former captains wrote a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanding proper treatment for Imran. Among the former captains making that demand was Australian legend Greg Chappell.

Citing a short video clip of Chappell's statement expressing concern about Imran's treatment, current Australian Test captain Cummins wrote on X, "I extend my support to GC (Greg Chappell) and other former international captains. I hope the court will cooperate in his proper treatment and that meetings with his family will continue. I would hope that Imran Khan is treated with dignity, as everyone deserves."

The 21 former captains who signed the letter are Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Mike Gatting, Sunil Gavaskar, Lee Germon, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Steve Waugh and John Wright.

After them, former Pakistani cricketers like Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan also spoke out on this matter.