When India and Pakistan cricket team players are so unfriendly to each other despite playing matches together presently, in a contrast two former great Indian cricketers and captains of Indian team- Sunil Gawaskar and Kapil Dev have joined a dozen other former international captains on Tuesday, in demanding better prison treatment for another great cricketer and jailed former Prime Minister of Pakistan – Imran Khan.
“One of the finest all rounders “ of the cricket , Imran Khan ( 73) has been in jail for almost 3 years and is reportedly facing serious eye problems and a danger of losing his eye sight”.
Khan’s lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost a significant amount of vision in his right eye while in custody and his supporters are claiming Imaran Khan has lost his 85 percent vision.
However, a medical board said on Monday the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved.
Former Australia captain Greg Chappell, his brother Ian Chappell and compatriots Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes have signed the petition.
England’s Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower have also signed, alongside Clive Lloyd from the West Indies and John Wright from New Zealand.
Despite India’s fraught relations with Pakistan, former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev signed a petition expressing “deep concern” about Khan’s treatment and prison conditions.
“Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit,” they said in the petition.
“As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon,” they stated.
The cricket greats “respectfully” urged the Pakistan government to ensure immediate and adequate medical attention, dignified treatment, and unhindered access to legal processes for Khan.
“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,” they stated.
The petition, drafted by former Australian captain Greg Chappell, was delivered to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday afternoon.
Little Master Sunil Gawaskar , a prominent voice in Indian cricket, commented on the situation, saying, “It’s terrible what they are doing to him. We have been friends since he was trying to qualify as an overseas player for Worcestershire and not just rivals on the field.”
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan’s legendary pacer duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis led calls for the former Pakistan captain to be allowed urgent medical support in prison.
(With inputs from Delhi based agencies)
