Former India captain Sourav Ganguly doubled down on the demand made to the Pakistan government to treat Imran Khan better. Reacting to the letter written by 14 former cricket captains seeking fair treatment for the ex-Pakistan skipper, Ganguly said that Imran had put Pakistan on the world map and deserved the right treatment.
In a rare show of cross-border solidarity, 14 former international cricket captains jointly appealed to the Government of Pakistan to ensure humane treatment and immediate medical attention for Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain and ex-prime minister currently in jail.
The appeal, released on Tuesday, February 17, underscores deep concern over Khan’s reported health deterioration and the conditions of his incarceration over the past two and a half years.
“They have done the right thing. I hope his health recovers and he gets the right treatment. He has put Pakistan on the world map, first as captain of the Pakistan cricket team and then as Prime Minister, so he should be looked after, and I expect that.”
Among the signatories were iconic names from the cricketing world, including India legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, Australia’s Greg and Ian Chappell, Steve Waugh and Allan Border, England’s Mike Brearley, David Gower and Nasser Hussain, West Indies great Clive Lloyd, New Zealand’s John Wright, and former Australian women’s captain Belinda Clark.
In their joint statement titled “Appeal by Former International Cricket Captains,” the group described Khan as a “distinguished former captain” and a “legendary figure in world cricket,” recalling his leadership in guiding Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup triumph — a victory built on leadership, resilience and sportsmanship that resonated across the sport globally.
‘GIVE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION TO IMRAN’
The captains urged Pakistani authorities to ensure that Khan, 73, receives “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing,” along with humane conditions of detention that align with international standards, including regular family visits. They also called for fair and transparent access to legal processes without undue delay or hindrance.
“Cricket has long been a bridge between nations,” the appeal read. “Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn — and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career. We call on authorities to honour it now by upholding the principles of decency and justice.”
The humanitarian appeal follows reports that Khan has experienced a serious deterioration in his eyesight while in custody, with some accounts claiming he may have lost up to 85 per cent of vision in his right eye. Khan was examined on February 15 by a team of doctors following those complaints, but his family and supporters criticised the process, saying it lacked transparency and appropriate oversight.
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple charges that he and his supporters describe as politically motivated. Despite the tense political backdrop, the captains’ statement stressed that the appeal was driven by “sportsmanship and common humanity,” without prejudice to any legal proceedings.
The letter also highlighted Khan’s tenure as Pakistan’s democratically elected prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and urged that, regardless of political differences, he deserves humane treatment in detention.
