Cricketing legends write to the Pakistan government, urging immediate medical care for Imran Khan

Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and 14 other legends wrote to the Pakistan government to provide proper medical care to Imran Khan.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who also led the men’s team to the 1992 World Cup title, received support from Indian cricketing legends like Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, among 14 others, regarding his health and medical care. He received support from the cricket fraternity on Tuesday as 14 former international captainssigned a petition urging the Pakistan government and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure proper medical care to the 73-year-old, who is currently in jail.

Indian former international legends come in support of Imran Khan.

Former Indian international cricket stars have written an official letter to the Pakistani government amid reports of Imran Khan’s deteriorating health. The petition urges the Pakistan government to ensure that Imran Khan receives proper legal facilities while in jail as well. The letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been co-signed by Greg Chappell, Belinda Clark, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh and John Wright. However, none of the other former Pakistan captains has signed the petition. Last week, several former Pakistan cricketers, including WasimAkram, WaqarYounis and ShahidAfridi, took to social media to urge authorities to ensure proper medical care for Imran.

Full text of the petition.

We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and conditions of incarceration of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket. Imran Khan’s contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory—a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders. Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolising his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike. Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country.

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 halfyears, 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. We respectfully urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure that Imran Khan receives: Immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing to address his reported health issues. Humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family members. Fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance.

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. We call on authorities to honour it now by upholding the principles of decency and justice. This appeal is made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity, without prejudice to any legal proceedings.

It was reported that Imran Khan has lost 85 per cent of vision in his right eye. His supporters and family have also claimed they were denied the right to visit him in jail. “He’s in a very small cell, which has been described as a death cell because this is where they’ve held people who are on death row,” his son Sulaiman had said in December 2025. Imran and his wife, BushraBibi, have been in jail since August 2023 following his ouster from Pakistan’s leadership in 2022. The former Pakistan captain is also facing an expanding list of corruption charges and is currently serving a 31-year sentence after the latest verdict in December 2025.