Seven former Australian captains make humanitarian appeal for Imran Khan

Seven former captains of the Australian cricket team have expressed humanitarian concern over the prolonged imprisonment of Pakistan’s former prime minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, writing to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

The letter was signed by Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. They said they were writing not as politicians or diplomats, but as former captains concerned about the treatment of a fellow former international cricketer.

The former captains clarified that they were not taking a position on the legal or political cases against Imran Khan. Their primary concern, they said, was the treatment of any person in custody, describing it as a fundamental humanitarian issue regardless of political circumstances.

The appeal is the latest international intervention concerning Imran Khan. On August 23, 22 former international captains from around the world wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the 73-year-old former Pakistan captain.

They called for a comprehensive and independent medical examination, including assessment of his reported loss of vision in his right eye, restoration of weekly family visits and immediate medical treatment based on doctors’ recommendations.