Seven former Australian cricket captains have collectively appealed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong, voicing humanitarian concerns over the detention and medical treatment of former Pakistan prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan.
The letter was signed by Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, representing decades of leadership in international cricket.
A Plea Grounded in Humanity, Not Politics
The former captains emphasised that their intervention was made “not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains who felt compelled to speak up.”
They clarified that they were not taking a position on the legal or political proceedings involving Khan, describing those matters as an issue for Pakistan. Instead, they said their appeal focused on the treatment of people in custody, calling it a matter of “basic humanity” regardless of political affiliations.
Three Key Demands
In their latest appeal, the former Australian captains called for three specific measures:
- Authorities should allow the Supreme Court-directed medical board, including Khan’s personal doctors, to conduct a complete and independent assessment of his health, particularly concerns regarding reported loss of vision in his right eye.
- Weekly family visits, which had been reinstated by the court, should take place without interruption or administrative delays.
- Any treatment recommended following the medical assessment should be provided without delay.
Background of Detention
Khan, 73, has remained imprisoned since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases.
On August 18, a three-member Supreme Court bench directed Adiala jail authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa Hospital within two days for medical assessment and treatment. He was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The former cricketers said Khan’s age and prolonged detention made it important that the court-ordered medical process be completed properly, regardless of the wider legal and political debate surrounding his case.
Growing International Concern
The latest intervention follows a similar appeal in February, which was signed by 14 former international cricket captains.
On August 23, another group of 22 former international captains from around the world wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for improved medical care for Khan and requesting an independent medical assessment involving his own doctors.
Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan have also voiced concerns about Khan’s health, while current Australia captain Pat Cummins has supported calls for appropriate medical treatment.
