Sunil Gavaskar, Alastair Cook Among Ex-Cricket Captains Seeking Proper Medical Care for Imran Khan

Twenty-one former cricket captains have called on Pakistan's government to ensure that Imran Khan receives appropriate medical treatment while he remains in prison.

The group includes Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, former Australia skipper Greg Chappell and several other prominent former international captains.

Khan, 73, has been in custody since August 2023 after being convicted in corruption-related cases, allegations he and his political party have repeatedly denied.

The former Pakistan prime minister's medical condition has become a growing concern after reports that he was given only limited access to hospital care last week.

Former Captains Make Three Key Demands

In a letter addressed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the former captains outlined three main requests concerning Khan's health and treatment.

First, they called for Khan to undergo a comprehensive medical assessment by a medical board directed by Pakistan's Supreme Court. The board, they said, should include doctors of Khan's choice, particularly given reports concerning reduced vision in his right eye.

The group also called for Khan's family to be allowed to make weekly visits, in accordance with an existing court order, without administrative delays or interruptions.

Their third demand was that any medical treatment recommended by the board should be provided without unnecessary delay.

Concern Over Khan's Eye Condition

Health concerns surrounding Khan have intensified following claims about his eyesight.

His lawyers previously alleged that Khan had been left with only around 15% vision in his right eye, accusing prison authorities of failing to arrange timely treatment.

Khan's political party has also filed a contempt petition against the government, alleging that authorities have not provided access to his personal doctors despite directions from the country's top court.

Greg Chappell Initiates Appeal

The latest letter was initiated by former Australian captain Greg Chappell.

The signatories said that political and legal disagreements surrounding Khan should not prevent him from receiving appropriate medical attention.

The former captains described themselves as former colleagues and rivals who share a connection formed through cricket, saying that their shared bond extends beyond political disagreements and national borders.

Several Cricket Legends Sign Letter

Among the former captains supporting the appeal are:

• Sunil Gavaskar — India
• Kapil Dev — India
• Dilip Vengsarkar — India
• Sir Alastair Cook — England
• Michael Atherton — England
• Michael Brearley — England
• Nasser Hussain — England
• Andrew Strauss — England
• David Gower — England
• Greg Chappell — Australia
• Adam Gilchrist — Australia
• Steve Waugh — Australia
• Kim Hughes — Australia
• Belinda Clark — Australia

Fourteen of the former captains had previously supported an appeal in February calling for humane treatment and proper medical care for Khan.

Supreme Court Had Ordered Medical Examination

Pakistan's Supreme Court had directed the government to transfer Khan to a private hospital for examination by doctors.

However, Khan was instead examined at a government-run hospital in Islamabad, where doctors reportedly declared him medically fit before he was returned to prison.

Khan's supporters have continued to raise concerns over his medical treatment and access to doctors of his choice.

Imran Khan's Political and Cricket Legacy

Before entering politics, Imran Khan was one of Pakistan's most celebrated cricketers and captained the national team to its 1992 World Cup victory.

He later entered politics and served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022.

Since his imprisonment in 2023, Khan has faced more than 100 cases involving allegations including corruption, state secrets and the handling of state gifts. Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have consistently maintained that the cases are politically motivated.

His imprisonment has also triggered major protests by his supporters and a subsequent government crackdown.