Indian cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev joined a dozen other former international captains on Tuesday in demanding better prison treatment for "one of the finest all-rounders" of the game Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister.
Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, 73, has been in jail since August 2023, convicted in a string of cases that he says were politically driven following his ouster in a 2022 parliamentary vote.
Imran Khan's lawyer told Pakistan's Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost a significant amount of vision in his right eye while in custody. A medical board said on Monday the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved.
Despite India's fraught relations with Pakistan, including military conflict last year, former India captains Gavaskar and Kapil signed a petition expressing "deep concern" about Khan's treatment and prison conditions.
"Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit," they said in the petition.
"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."
Former Australia captain Greg Chappell, his brother Ian Chappell and compatriots Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes have signed the petition.
England’s Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower have also signed, alongside Clive Lloyd from the West Indies and John Wright from New Zealand.
The cricket greats "respectfully" urged the Pakistan government to ensure immediate and adequate medical attention, dignified treatment, and unhindered access to legal processes for Imran 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."
Imran Khan played 88 tests and 175 one-day internationals for Pakistan between 1971-1992 and captained them to their only ODI World Cup victory in 1992.
His son Kasim Khan told Reuters the immediate concern was his father's health but there were other pressing issues including "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."
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) party issued a statement on its X account, thanking the international cricketers for raising “their voices against the injustices being committed against” the former premier.
The party expressed the hope that cricketers “will continue to extend their full support to Imran Khan until justice and fairness are achieved”.
PTI also called on the current and veteran cricketers around the globe to speak in favour of the incarcerated leader and against “this injustice”.
“One of cricket’s greatest legends is currently languishing in prison as the victim of a political vendetta and injustice, where he is being deprived of basic human rights and essential medical facilities,” PTI added.
Last week, Pakistan’s cricketing community had also voiced concern about the health of the former captain and called on authorities to ensure he received the best possible care.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram — who was part of the 1992 squad which won the World Cup — said it was “heartbreaking” to learn that Imran was facing health issues.
Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news about Imran losing vision in his eye.
Reuters
