CHENNAI: As many as 14 former captains including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Pakistan government expressing their concerns about jailed cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's deteriorating health. The letter titled "Appeal by former International Cricket Captains" urged the Pakistan government to provide Imran adequate medical attention and dignified conditions in line with international standards.
Former England captain David Gower is one among the 14 captains. The former stylish left-hand batter in a reply to an email sent to him said, "The initiative came from Australia. It was Greg Chappell who asked if I would sign, to which I said yes at once."
The 68-year-old former top-order batter, who scored 8231 runs including 18 centuries in 117 Tests, said the last time he saw Imran was in the Prime Minister's residence in Islamabad. "I have huge admiration for Imran as a player and captain of Pakistan and the last time I saw him was in the Prime Minister’s residence in Islamabad."
Former Pakistan prime minister Imran, who led the team to the title in the 1992 ODI World Cup, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case in 2023. He is now lodged in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. There have been reports that Imran has lost approximately 85 per cent of vision in his right eye due to medical neglect while in custody in the jail.
Notably, Pakistan has a history of arresting and jailing former prime ministers including Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto and her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who later was hanged. Gower reiterated the same. "I understand that it is not the first time that an outgoing PM in Pakistan has been imprisoned or worse. Indeed his predecessor suffered in similar fashion. However, this current administration has taken this to an inhumane level. The very least one would hope is that a fair trial (or trials) should be held forthwith."
The letter signed by former captains said the appeal is made in the spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity, without prejudice to any legal proceedings. "Imran Khan's contributions to the game are universally admired. As captain, he led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory, a triumph built on skill, resilience, leadership, and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders. Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit. He remains one of the finest all-rounders and captains the sport has ever seen, earning respect from players, fans, and administrators alike. Beyond cricket, Imran Khan served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, leading his nation during a challenging period. Regardless of political perspectives, he holds the honour of having been democratically elected to the highest office in his country."
Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly also spoke on the appeal made 14 skippers and said, "They (former skippers) have done the right thing, I hope he (Imran) gets the right treatment because he has taken Pakistan to the world map being captain of the Pakistan cricket team and then Prime Minister so he should be looked after and I expect him to."