Seven former Australian cricket captains have appealed to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to raise humanitarian concerns about former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket captain Imran Khan.
The letter was signed by former Australian captains Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.
The former cricketers said they were speaking as former cricket captains and not as politicians or diplomats. They also made it clear that they were not taking a position on Imran Khan’s legal or political cases.
Their main concern is Khan’s health and his treatment while in detention.
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison in Pakistan since 2023 after being convicted in several cases. His supporters have described the cases as politically motivated, while Pakistani authorities have maintained that he is being treated according to the law.
Khan’s family and supporters have raised concerns about his health, particularly reports about serious problems affecting the vision in his right eye. They have also called for proper medical treatment and greater access to family members.
The former Australian captains have urged the Australian government to consider these humanitarian concerns. They said their appeal was based on basic humanitarian principles and was separate from any judgment about Khan’s political or legal situation.
Imran Khan remains a major figure in international cricket history. He captained Pakistan to its first Cricket World Cup title in 1992 before entering politics and later becoming Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
The latest appeal adds to growing concern among former international cricket figures about Khan’s health and conditions in detention.
