(ESPN) Seven former Australia cricket captains have now approached Australia’s minister for foreign affairs, Penny Wong, to raise humanitarian concerns over Imran Khan’s detention in Pakistan.
The signatories to the letter sent to the minister are Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, who have clarified that they are writing “not as diplomats or political figures, but as former captains who felt compelled to speak up”.
In the letter, “the group makes clear it takes no position on the legal or political case against Mr Khan”, describing that as a matter for Pakistan alone. Their concern, they write, is with the treatment of any person in detention, calling it “a matter of basic humanity, whatever their politics”.
This is the latest appeal on the part of former international cricketers of repute on behalf of Imran, the former Pakistan cricket captain and prime minister.
Twenty-two former international captains from around the world wrote to Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 23, calling for better medical treatment for Imran, which they said at present fell short of a Supreme Court directive. The letter made three specific requests: 1. that the medical board directed by the Supreme Court – including Imran’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; 2. that the weekly family visits reinstated by the Court be honoured without interruption or administrative delay; and 3. that whatever the outcome of that medical assessment, the treatment recommended by it be provided without delay.
This followed the first letter, written in February this year, signed by 14 former international captains, and since then, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan, among former Pakistan cricketers, have spoken up on the matter, as has current Australia captain Pat Cummins.
The latest letter noted that Imran’s sons and sisters have for months publicly raised concerns over his health and treatment in detention, including 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, but hasn’t received a response.
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