On Tuesday 14 former international cricket captains, including me, issued a humanitarian appeal for Imran Khan, the former captain and former prime minister of Pakistan. We urged the government of Pakistan to ensure that he is given access to “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention” and is treated with “dignity and basic human consideration” amid increasing concern over his health in detention.
Those former captains included six from Australia — Greg and Ian Chappell, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, Kim Hughes and Belinda Clark — four from England — me, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower — two from India — Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev — one New Zealander, John Wright, and Clive Lloyd from West Indies. Many played against Khan, who is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, and the finest captain Pakistan has produced.
Khan is 73 years old. He has been held in detention since August 2023 on a slew of charges that his supporters maintain are politically motivated, and is serving two separate sentences of 17 and 14 years. Concerns have been growing lately for his health as a result of the conditions he is reportedly being held in at the Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. Recently, it was reported that he was close to losing the sight in his right eye.
Atherton and Khan at Lord’s in 2016
In December the UN special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, urged the Pakistan government to address the reports of Khan’s inhumane detention conditions and called on them to ensure that those conditions fully complied with international norms and standards.
She said: “Since his transfer to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on 26 September 2023, Imran Khan has reportedly been held for excessive periods in solitary confinement, confined for 23 hours a day in his cell, with highly restricted access to the outside world. His cell is reportedly under constant camera surveillance.
“Khan’s solitary confinement should be lifted without delay. Not only is it an unlawful measure, extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health,” she said.
Demonstrators in Karachi express support for Khan
SHAHZAIB AKBER/EPA
With reports of his health deteriorating, the cricket fraternity in Pakistan has been rallying in support. His fast-bowling protégés, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, took to social media in the past few days to urge the authorities to allow their former captain access to the best medical attention and treatment.
Those concerns were echoed by others, including Ramiz Raja, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi. Khan is regarded as a father figure to many, after leading Pakistan to a World Cup triumph in Australia in 1992.
Khan led Pakistan to their first and so far only World Cup in 1992, beating England in the final at Melbourne Cricket Ground
TONY FEDER/ALLSPORT/GETTY IMAGES
It was from Australia, through Greg Chappell, that the impetus came for a united voice from a number of former captains to heighten awareness about Khan’s situation.
Without prejudice to any legal proceedings, we issued a lengthy statement, which included the following: “Recent reports concerning his health — particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody — and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past 2½ 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 dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and 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 process without undue delay or hindrance.”