Australian cricket legends appeal for better medical care for Imran Khan
The former captains have appealed to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong over concerns about the detention and medical care 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. The group said it was speaking out because of humanitarian concerns rather than political interests.
The former cricketers made clear that they were not attempting to interfere in Pakistan’s legal or political proceedings. Instead, they said their appeal focused on the treatment of people in custody and the need to uphold basic standards of humanity.
Former captains explain reason for appeal
The seven former Australian captains stressed that their intervention was made “not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains who felt compelled to speak up”.
They said they were not taking a position on the legal cases or political debate surrounding Khan. According to the letter, those matters remain an issue for Pakistan and its institutions.
Their concern, they explained, was about the treatment of a person in detention. They described access to proper medical care and humane treatment as matters that should remain important regardless of political affiliation.
The appeal comes as questions continue to be raised about Khan’s health and the arrangements for his medical assessment. The former prime minister, who is 73, has remained in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases.
The former captains said Khan’s age and prolonged detention made it important for his medical needs to be addressed properly. They urged authorities to focus on the medical process rather than allowing the wider political debate to overshadow health concerns.
Appeal follows Supreme Court medical order
The letter referred to a medical direction issued by Pakistan’s Supreme Court on August 18. A three-member bench had directed Adiala jail authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa Hospital within two days for medical assessment and treatment.
Khan 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 Australian captains called for the court-directed medical process to be completed properly. They particularly highlighted reports concerning a possible loss of vision in Khan’s right eye.
The group urged authorities to allow the Supreme Court-directed medical board to conduct a complete and independent assessment. They also called for Khan’s personal doctors to be included in the process.
An independent assessment, they said, would help ensure that concerns about his health are examined thoroughly. The former captains did not claim to determine Khan’s medical condition themselves, but asked that qualified doctors be allowed to evaluate it.
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Three key demands in the letter
The former Australian captains outlined three main requests in their appeal to Penny Wong. Their demands focused on medical evaluation, family access and timely treatment.
First, they urged authorities to allow the medical board, including Khan’s personal doctors, to carry out a full and independent assessment. They said particular attention should be given to reports of vision problems affecting his right eye.
Second, they called for weekly family visits to take place without interruption or administrative delays. These visits had reportedly been reinstated by the court.
Third, the former cricketers urged authorities to provide any treatment recommended after the medical assessment without unnecessary delay. They said medical recommendations should be acted upon promptly.
The former captains argued that these steps were important because of Khan’s age and the length of his detention. They said the medical process should be handled properly regardless of the legal and political discussions surrounding his case.
Earlier international cricket appeals
The latest appeal is not the first time former international cricket captains have raised concerns about Khan’s health. In February, a similar letter was signed by 14 former international cricket captains.
Another appeal followed on August 23, when 22 former international captains from around the world wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. They called for improved medical care for Khan and requested an independent medical assessment involving his personal doctors.
These appeals show that concerns about Khan’s health have extended beyond Pakistan’s cricket community. Former players from different countries have used their public standing to call attention to the issue.
The former Australian captains’ latest letter continues that pattern. However, the signatories have maintained that their appeal is focused on humanitarian concerns rather than support for any political party or legal position.
