Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Former Cricket Captains Renew Appeal for Imran Khan’s Medical Care
Imran Khan is a former Pakistan cricket captain and prime minister who is in prison.
Twenty-one former cricket captains wrote to Pakistan’s prime minister asking for better medical care for him.
Michael Atherton said the appeal was also about keeping Khan from being erased from public attention.
The letter followed a court order for Khan to be examined by a medical board.
The board was supposed to include Khan’s own doctors and his sister.
Khan was taken to a hospital in Islamabad but was later returned to Adiala jail.
His lawyers challenged the transfer, saying it violated the court’s order.
Kapil Dev said prisoners should receive humane treatment and basic facilities, whatever their legal situation.
Michael Atherton said 21 former international captains appealed for proper medical treatment for imprisoned Imran Khan.
Atherton accused the Pakistan state of trying to “airbrush” Khan out of public life.
The second letter followed Khan’s transfer from Shifa International Hospital back to Adiala jail hours later.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court reportedly ordered a medical-board examination involving Khan’s personal doctors and sister, while restoring weekly family visits.
Kapil Dev said Khan should receive humane treatment and basic facilities, separate from any legal proceedings.
- Who
- Imran Khan; former captains including Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, and Kapil Dev; and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who received the appeal.
- What
- Twenty-one former international cricket captains appealed for Khan’s court-ordered medical treatment and family visits.
- When
- The second letter was sent on Sunday; Kapil Dev commented on Monday, and Khan’s hospital transfer and return to jail occurred on Friday.
- Where
- The events concern Pakistan, including Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad and Adiala jail.
- Why
- The captains cited concern about Khan’s health and alleged inadequate prison medical care; Atherton also criticized what he described as an effort to remove Khan from public life.
- Second appeal
- Twenty-one former international captains signed the latest letter to Shehbaz Sharif.
- Earlier appeal
- Fourteen former captains had previously written to Pakistani authorities about Khan’s treatment.
- Court directions
- Pakistan’s Supreme Court reportedly ordered a hospital examination by a medical board including Khan’s personal physicians and sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
- Family visits
- The Supreme Court reportedly restored weekly family visits for Khan.
- Hospital transfer
- Khan was taken to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad and returned to Adiala jail hours later.
- Health concern
- Khan’s family said an eye condition and alleged medical neglect had left him almost completely blind in one eye.
- Background
- Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 on corruption and other charges that he has denied; he led Pakistan to its first ODI World Cup title in 1992 and served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
