Why 22 former cricket captains have written to Pakistan PM again?

Twenty-two former international cricket captains have renewed their appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for better and more humane treatment of former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. The latest letter comes six months after a similar appeal was made, with seven more former captains now joining the request.

The group includes three Indian cricket legends — Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar. Kapil led India to its historic 1983 World Cup victory, while Gavaskar became the first batter to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Vengsarkar is also regarded as one of India's finest former captains.

According to Cricinfo, the former captains have raised concerns over Khan's health and called for appropriate medical treatment. They have also referred to recent developments that they believe do not fully comply with a Supreme Court directive, urging the Pakistani government to ensure humane treatment for the 73-year-old former Pakistan captain.

Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev among 21 former captains in renewed letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif

The letter, signed by Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Michael Gatting, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Lee Germon, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Steve Waugh and John Wright, highlighted the Supreme Court’s order regarding Imran Khan’s medical treatment. The court had directed that Khan be taken to a hospital for examination by a medical board that would include his personal doctors and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan.

The former captains raised concerns about Khan’s short hospital stay and said he was examined by a state-appointed team instead of the medical board ordered by the court. They also noted that he was declared “medically fit” and sent back to Adiala Jail before the court-ordered board could complete its assessment. The letter also welcomed the court’s decision to restore weekly family visits.

The former captains made three specific requests:

1. Full medical assessment: They asked the court-directed medical board, including Khan’s personal doctors, to complete an independent assessment of his health, especially his reported loss of vision in his right eye.

2. Weekly family visits: They urged authorities to allow the weekly family visits ordered by the Supreme Court without interruption or administrative delays.

3. Recommended treatment: They asked that any treatment recommended by the medical board after its assessment be provided to Khan without delay.

Imran Khan's health concerns explained — Vision loss, Jail conditions and the court-ordered medical check

Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been serving multiple prison sentences after his removal from office. His legal cases include corruption convictions that resulted in prison terms of 10, 14 and 17 years. Ahead of the 2024 elections, he was also sentenced to seven years in a case related to his marriage to his current wife.

Several international rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised concerns about Khan's trials and prison conditions. His sons have also alleged that he is being kept in a "death cell" and subjected to psychological torture. The Pakistan government has denied these allegations. In February, 14 former cricket captains had already written to Pakistan's prime minister over concerns about Khan's health, particularly reports that an eye problem had severely affected his vision in one eye.

The latest letter is the former captains' second appeal in six months. The signatories said they were writing not as politicians, but as former colleagues and rivals who share a bond built through cricket. They also made it clear that they were not seeking to interfere in Pakistan's legal process, but wanted attention to be given to Khan's health concerns and the need for proper medical care.

'Finally some support' — Fans react as cricket legends rally behind Imran Khan

Cricket fans have reacted strongly after 21 former captains joined calls for better medical care for former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Many fans welcomed the support from some of the biggest names in cricket, saying it was important for the legends to speak up about Khan's reported health concerns while he remains in prison.

The latest appeal has also sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Some fans praised the former captains for standing together and showing concern for a fellow cricketer. Comments such as "Finally, some support" reflected the relief among those who believe Khan's health issues deserve greater attention. Here is how the fans reacted on X:

At the same time, the appeal has led to wider discussions about Khan's prison conditions and medical treatment. The former captains have stressed that they are not trying to interfere in Pakistan's legal process. Instead, they are asking for proper medical attention for Khan, with many fans now hoping their collective voice will lead to action.