21 Former International Cricket Captains Urge Pakistan PM to Ensure Medical Care for Imran Khan

Twenty-one former international cricket captains have written to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, calling for proper medical facilities and treatment for former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, according to ESPNcricinfo.

WEBDESK – MEDIABITES – ESPN-CRICINFO

In their letter, the former captains referred to Supreme Court directions that Imran Khan be taken to a hospital for a comprehensive medical examination by a medical board that would include his personal doctors and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan. They also called for the restoration of weekly family meetings.

The former captains expressed concern that Imran Khan’s hospital stay lasted only a few hours. They said he was examined by a government-appointed medical team rather than the medical board specified in the court’s directions. The government team reportedly declared him medically fit, after which he was returned to Adiala Jail.

The former captains made three key demands:

• Allow the medical board to conduct a full and independent examination of Imran Khan, particularly in light of reports of reduced vision in his right eye.
• Ensure that his weekly family meetings continue without interruption.
• Provide any treatment recommended following the medical examination without delay.

The letter was signed by several prominent former captains, including Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Alastair Cook, Sunil Gavaskar, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Steve Waugh and John Wright, among others.

The former captains emphasized that their appeal was made in their capacity as former colleagues and opponents of Imran Khan on the cricket field, rather than as politicians. They also stressed that they did not intend to interfere in Pakistan’s internal legal proceedings.

The appeal is reportedly the second letter from former international cricket captains within six months concerning Imran Khan’s health. In February, 14 former captains had also raised concerns over reports about his health and alleged vision problems in one eye.

The latest intervention places renewed international cricket attention on the former Pakistan captain’s medical condition and the arrangements being made for his healthcare while he remains in custody.