Cricket Legends Call on Pakistan to Provide Imran Khan Proper Medical Care

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A coalition of former international cricket captains from five Test‑playing nations has issued a public appeal urging the Government of Pakistan to ensure adequate medical care and humane treatment for Imran Khan, the 73‑year‑old former Pakistan captain and prime minister who is currently incarcerated and facing serious health concerns. The petition has drawn global attention to Khan’s reported condition behind bars and underscored respect for human dignity across sporting and political divides.

The open letter — drafted by Australia’s Greg Chappell and signed by 14 cricketing greats — was formally submitted to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday. Among the signatories are legends such as David Gower and Mike Atherton from England, Steve Waugh from Australia, and Indian icons Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, alongside former captains from the West Indies and New Zealand.

The group’s statement expressed “profound concern” over reports that Khan’s health has deteriorated while in custody, particularly citing significant vision loss and treatment delays, and called on authorities to allow him immediate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing. They also urged that he be held in conditions “in line with international standards” and be granted regular access to family visits and fair legal processes.

“Cricket has long been a bridge between nations,” the letter said, noting that competition ends when the game is over and respect endures. Signatories emphasised that Khan’s historic achievements — including leading Pakistan to their 1992 Cricket World Cup victory — earn him dignity and humane treatment regardless of political circumstances.

Khan’s family and supporters have claimed that prison authorities have denied him proper medical care and raised alarms about the quality of services at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where he has been held since his arrest in August 2023 on multiple charges he and his party denounce as politically motivated. Pakistan’s government has dismissed those accusations as unfounded.

The appeal’s broad signature list — spanning continents and cricketing rivalries — underscores widespread concern among the global cricket fraternity about Khan’s welfare and the importance of upholding basic human rights and dignity for a fellow sporting legend.

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