00:02Former Pakistan captain and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan has received a fresh show of support
00:08from some of the biggest names in international cricket.
00:12Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev are among 21 former international captains
00:19who have written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, urging the government to ensure
00:24proper medical care and welfare for the jailed 73-year-old cricket legend.
00:30The letter, initiated by former Australia captain Greg Chapela, focuses specifically on Khan's
00:37health, access to his family and implementation of a medical process ordered by Pakistan's
00:43Supreme Court.
00:44The former captains made it clear that they were not attempting to interfere in Pakistan's
00:49domestic legal proceedings, but argued that basic humanitarian and medical concerns should
00:55be addressed.
01:04The first and most prominent request is for an independent and comprehensive medical assessment
01:10of Imran Khan.
01:12The cricket legends have asked the Pakistan government to allow the medical board ordered by the Supreme
01:18Court to complete its assessment.
01:20The board is expected to include Khan's personal doctors as well.
01:26Particular concern has been raised over reports that Khan has suffered a loss of vision in his
01:32right eye.
01:33The former captains want his medical condition to be properly evaluated and any concerns to
01:39be independently verified.
01:41The second request concerns Khan's access to his family.
01:45The former captains have urged the Pakistan government to honor the Supreme Court's order permitting
01:52Khan's family to meet him every week.
01:55They called for these visits to take place without interruptions, administrative delays or unnecessary
02:01restrictions.
02:03For the signatories, regular family contact is an important part of ensuring the former Pakistan
02:09leader's welfare while he remains imprisoned.
02:13The third demand is straightforward.
02:15Any treatment recommended after the medical assessment should be provided without delay.
02:21The former cricketers have called on authorities to ensure that medical recommendations are acted
02:27upon promptly rather than being held up by administrative or other obstacles.
02:32The letter has brought together a remarkable group of former international captains.
02:39Alongside Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, signatories include Dilip Vengsarkar, Michael Atherton, Michael
02:46Brearley, Nasser Hussain, Andrew Strauss and David Goware from England.
02:52Australia is represented by cricket greats including Alan Bauder, Ian Chappela, Belinda Clark,
02:59Adam Gilchrist, Steve Wauf and Kim Hughes.
03:02West Indies legend Clive Lloyd, New Zealand's John Wright and Sri Lanka's Arjuna Rantunga are
03:09also among those backing the appeal.
03:12Imran Khan has remained behind bars since 2023 after facing multiple legal cases.
03:19He and his wife were sentenced to 17 years in prison on corruption charges late last year,
03:25allegations they deny.
03:27His political party, Pakistan Tehriki Insaf, has repeatedly maintained that the cases against
03:34him are politically motivated.
03:36The latest appeal comes after Khan was reportedly moved to Islamabad's private Shifa International
03:43Hospital for medical checks ordered by the Supreme Court, only to be taken back to jail
03:48hours later.
03:49For the former cricket captains, the issue is now centred on ensuring that Khan receives
03:56proper medical attention, regular contact with his family and timely treatment.
04:01The intervention by legends such as Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappela and Alan Bauder underlines
04:08the unusual cross-border solidarity surrounding the former World Cup-winning captain.
04:13Their message is focused not on Pakistan's political disputes, but on what they describe as basic
04:20standards of medical care, family access and humane treatment for a fellow cricketing icon.
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