Twenty-one former international cricket captains from nine countries wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging proper medical care for jailed former prime minister Imran Khan [1].
The appeal highlights growing international concern over the treatment of the former leader, whose health issues have become a flashpoint in Pakistan's volatile political climate.
The letter, sent in February 2026, calls for humane treatment and a comprehensive medical assessment [2]. The signatories expressed concern after reports surfaced that a medical board directed by the Supreme Court was prevented from finishing an evaluation of Khan's vision problems [1, 2].
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 [3]. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence related to a corruption case [3].
Among the high-profile signatories are Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Dev said, "I feel sad for Imran Khan, he should get the right treatment" [3].
The group of former captains represents nine different nations [1]. While some reports described the group as more than a dozen [2], other records specify the number as 21 [1].
The appeal to the Prime Minister's office in Islamabad emphasizes the need for transparency regarding Khan's condition. The captains noted that the blocking of the Supreme Court-ordered medical board is particularly concerning given the reported nature of the vision problems [1, 2].
“"I feel sad for Imran Khan, he should get the right treatment."”
The involvement of international sporting figures adds a layer of global visibility to the legal battles surrounding Imran Khan. By framing the issue as a matter of basic medical rights and humane treatment rather than political affiliation, the former captains are applying soft-power pressure on the Pakistani government to adhere to judicial mandates and international health standards.
