Twenty-one former international cricket captains from nine countries have urged Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure proper medical care and humane treatment for former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to news agency PTI. The appeal comes amid concerns over Khan's reported health problems in custody, including an alleged major loss of vision in his right eye.

The former cricketers' intervention follows an earlier appeal by 14 former captains around six months ago. The latest letter specifically raises questions about the implementation of a Pakistan Supreme Court order concerning Khan's medical examination. According to the letter, the court had directed that Khan undergo a comprehensive assessment by a medical board that would include his personal doctors and his sister, Uzma Khan. The former captains said Khan was instead examined for several hours by a government-appointed medical team at Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital before being declared medically fit and returned to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. They argued that the court-directed medical board had not completed its assessment. The appeal includes prominent former Indian captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, along with other former leaders of international cricket. The signatories said their intervention was motivated by their shared connection through the sport rather than by political considerations.

Three demands to Shehbaz Sharif

The former captains have asked the Pakistan government to ensure that the Supreme Court's directions are fully implemented. Their first request is for the court-directed medical board, including Khan's personal physicians, to conduct a complete and independent assessment, with particular attention to the reported deterioration in his right-eye vision.

They have also urged authorities to ensure that Khan's weekly family visitation rights, which were reinstated by the Supreme Court, are provided without administrative delays or obstruction. Their third demand is that any treatment recommended by the medical board should be made available without delay.

The former cricketers said medical care should be treated separately from the political and legal disputes surrounding Khan's imprisonment. Their appeal comes as concerns about the former Pakistan prime minister's health have remained a subject of public and political attention.

Concerns over medical assessment

The dispute centres on whether the medical process followed in Khan's case fully complied with the Supreme Court's directions. The former captains contend that the examination by the government-appointed medical team did not satisfy the requirement for a broader medical board assessment involving Khan's own doctors.

The signatories have particularly highlighted reports concerning Khan's eyesight. They argued that such concerns make a comprehensive examination important and called for the process ordered by the court to be completed rather than replaced by a shorter assessment.

The appeal also comes against the backdrop of Khan's prolonged imprisonment and continuing political tensions in Pakistan. The former cricketers have sought to keep their intervention focused on medical care and the implementation of judicial directions rather than the wider arguments over his legal cases.

Their letter said ensuring that a court-ordered medical process is completed should be viewed as a basic humanitarian matter, regardless of the political or legal disputes surrounding Khan. The request now places the Pakistan government under renewed attention over how the former cricket captain's medical needs and court-directed rights are being handled in custody.

Speaking on the importance of merit-based selection, Kapil said players should continue to represent India as long as they are contributing consistently and helping the team win matches. His comments underline a long-standing principle in international cricket — form and fitness remain the ultimate criteria for selection.

The former all-rounder acknowledged the immense value that Rohit and Kohli bring to the side through their experience and match-winning ability. However, he maintained that even the most accomplished players cannot be guaranteed a place in the playing XI indefinitely.

According to Kapil, Indian cricket has always thrived when competition for places remains strong. He said senior players deserve opportunities as long as they justify their selection through performances, but team management must simultaneously prepare the next generation to ensure a smooth transition whenever change becomes necessary.

The remarks come at a time when Indian cricket is balancing experience with youth across formats. Several emerging players have impressed in domestic cricket and international opportunities, increasing competition for places in the national setup.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain among the most influential figures in Indian cricket. Both players announced their retirement from T20 Internationals after India’s triumphant campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since then, they have continued to represent the country in One-Day Internationals and Test cricket.

Despite stepping away from the shortest format, the duo continues to play a crucial role in India's plans for major tournaments and bilateral series. Their experience has often been viewed as a key factor in guiding younger players through high-pressure situations.

Kapil's comments also highlight a broader challenge faced by every successful cricket team — balancing established stars with future prospects. While experienced players provide stability and leadership, selectors must also identify and nurture replacements before transitions become unavoidable.

Indian cricket has witnessed several such transitions over the decades. From the retirement of legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev himself to later generations led by Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni, the team has repeatedly evolved while maintaining competitiveness at the highest level.

The debate surrounding senior players often intensifies ahead of major tournaments, particularly when younger cricketers begin pushing for opportunities. However, Kapil suggested that performance should remain the only benchmark rather than age or reputation.

His remarks are likely to resonate with selectors and cricket followers alike, especially at a time when India is building squads for future global events. The message was clear: past achievements earn respect, but continued selection must be driven by present-day performances.

For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom remain among the most accomplished batters in modern cricket, the focus continues to be on delivering results whenever they take the field. As long as those performances continue, Kapil believes their place in the team remains justified.

In an unprecedented display of cross-border solidarity, 14 legendary international cricket captains have joined forces to appeal to the Pakistan government for the fair and humane treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The petition, delivered to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, comes amid alarming reports that the 1992 World Cup-winning captain has lost nearly 85% of the vision in his right eye while in custody.

The appeal, spearheaded by former Australian captain Greg Chappell, includes some of the biggest names in the sport’s history, such as India’s Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, alongside icons like Allan Border, Clive Lloyd, and Steve Waugh.

A "Death Cell" Crisis: Concerns Over Vision Loss

The primary driver behind this global petition is the "alarming deterioration" of Khan’s health. According to reports from his legal team and family, the 73-year-old is being held in a "death cell" at Adiala Jail—a small, windowless space typically reserved for those on death row.

Recent medical assessments suggest Khan is left with only 15% vision in his right eye due to medical neglect and a lack of specialized care. While the Pakistani government recently formed a medical board claiming his vision is "improving," Khan’s family and his party, the PTI, have rejected these findings, demanding an evaluation by independent doctors of his choosing.

"Rivalry Ends When the Stumps are Drawn"

The joint statement issued by the captains transcends political boundaries, emphasizing the values of sportsmanship and mutual respect.

"As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play... we believe that a person of Imran Khan's stature deserves to be treated with dignity," the statement read. "Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev have echoed this sentiment, with Gavaskar describing the reported conditions as 'terrible' for a man who served as a national leader and a global sporting icon."

The signatories of the petition include:

• India: Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar

• Australia: Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Steve Waugh, Kim Hughes, Belinda Clark

• England: Mike Atherton, Michael Brearley, David Gower, Nasser Hussain

• West Indies: Clive Lloyd

• New Zealand: John Wright

Why This Matters Now: The 2026 Context

This humanitarian plea arrives at a sensitive time for Pakistan. As the nation grapples with political instability, the domestic mood is further dampened by the Pakistan team's struggle in the T20 World Cup 2026. The contrast between the glory of Khan’s 1992 triumph and his current incarceration has sparked a wave of nostalgia and concern across the cricketing world.

For the international community, the treatment of a former head of state is a litmus test for human rights. The captains are not intervening in the legal cases against Khan—who faces a cumulative 31-year sentence—but are strictly demanding "humane and dignified conditions" and "immediate medical attention from qualified specialists."

Conclusion: A Call for Decency

The 14 captains concluded their appeal by reminding the Pakistan government that "rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn—and respect endures." Whether this high-profile intervention will lead to a shift in Khan’s prison conditions remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly placed the Shehbaz Sharif administration under a global spotlight.