Former Australia Captains Join Growing Appeal Over Imran Khan’s Detention

Seven former Australia captains have written to the country’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, raising humanitarian concerns over Imran Khan’s treatment in detention, adding their voices to a widening chorus of former international cricketers appealing on the former Pakistan captain’s behalf.

Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh are the signatories to the letter. The group framed its intervention carefully, stating it was writing “not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains who felt compelled to speak up”.

The letter makes clear the signatories take no position on the legal or political case against Khan, describing that as a matter for Pakistan alone. Their concern, they wrote, rests with the treatment of any person in detention, calling it “a matter of basic humanity, whatever their politics”.

A Pattern of Appeals

The correspondence represents the latest in a series of interventions by former international captains spanning several months.

The first letter, written in February, was signed by 14 former international captains. That was followed on August 23 by a letter from 22 former international captains to Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for better medical treatment for Khan, which they said fell short of a Supreme Court directive.

That letter made three specific requests. It asked that the medical board directed by the Supreme Court, including Khan’s own doctors, be permitted to complete a full and independent assessment of his health, particularly the reported loss of vision in his right eye. It sought the honouring of weekly family visits reinstated by the Court without interruption or administrative delay. And it requested that whatever treatment the medical assessment recommended be provided without delay.

Voices From Pakistan and Beyond

Since those appeals, several prominent former Pakistan cricketers have spoken publicly on the matter, including Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan. Current Australia captain Pat Cummins has also lent his support to the captains’ calls for Khan’s medical care.

The latest letter noted that Khan’s sons and sisters have for months publicly raised concerns over his health and treatment in detention, citing limited medical care, restricted family contact and minimal access to legal counsel.

Greg Chappell also requested a meeting with foreign minister Wong last month to discuss the matter on the group’s behalf. He has not received a response.

                                               

Relevant news