In a rare and powerful display of cross-border solidarity, 14 legendary international cricket captains, including Indian icons Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil DevThey jointly appealed to the government of Pakistan on February 17, 2026.
A letter addressed to the Prime Minister Shehbaz SharifExpresses “deep concern” over the deteriorating health of the 1992 World Cup-winning captain. Imran KhanHe has been in prison since 2023. This extraordinary intervention by the global cricket fraternity highlights the dire medical crisis faced by the 73-year-old man, who has reportedly suffered significant vision loss. Putting political and national rivalries aside, these sporting titans called for basic human dignity and special care for a man they described as a “global sporting icon”.
14 legends claim credit for Pakistan’s iconic captain Imran Khan
An appeal led by former Australian captain Greg Chappellserves as a morale-call from the ‘Who’s Who’ book of cricket history featuring names like Clive Lloyd, Allan Border and Steve Waugh. The signatories stressed that while their competitive battles on the field are fierce, respect for Khan’s peerage should cross the line during his personal crisis.
The letter reads: “As fellow cricketers who understand the values ​​of fair play, honor and respect that transcend boundaries, we believe that a man of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader.”
With the likes of Gavaskar and Kapil Dev involved, the petition carries a lot of weight in the subcontinent and reminds authorities that the eyes of the world are on the behavior of the man who led Pakistan to its greatest sporting triumph. The captains collectively urged the government to respect the spirit of sportsmanship: “Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalries end when stumps are drawn and respect continues.”
Imran Khan’s disturbing medical reports from Adiala Jail
The catalyst for this high-profile intervention was a series of distressing reports about Khan’s health in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, most notably his claim that he had lost 85% of his vision in his right eye. According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court on February 10, 2026 by a court-appointed lawyer, the former Prime Minister has been suffering from persistent blurred vision and retinal problems that were allegedly neglected by the prison authorities for months.
14 captains specifically requested: “Prompt, adequate and continuous medical care from qualified professionals of his choice to address his self-reported health problems.” Although the government’s medical board recently claimed that his vision had improved slightly with glasses by 6/9, his family and the PTI party are skeptical, describing the state-run examinations without private doctors as “harmful” and “unacceptable”. The letter of the captains emphasizes this urgency and says: “We are deeply concerned by recent reports of his health, particularly the alarming deterioration of his eyesight while in prison.”
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Complete List of Legendary Signers: From Kapil Dev to Clive Lloyd
The appeal represents an unprecedented collective effort, bringing together captains from India, Australia, England, West Indies and New Zealand in a single humanitarian cause. Aside from immediate health concerns, the letter advocates “Humane and dignified detention conditions in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family members and fair and transparent access to legal proceedings.”
The list of signees is testament to Khan’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen: Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Sir Clive Lloyd, Stephen Waugh and John WrightAlong with Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Their joint statement concludes with a powerful reminder of Khan’s legacy in 1992: “He led Pakistan to a historic victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, a triumph based on skill, resilience, leadership and sportsmanship that inspired generations across borders.”
🚨 14 former international captains including Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar and Clive Lloyd have formally requested the Pakistani government to ensure that Imran Khan receives proper medical treatment. pic.twitter.com/y7oO10DWGd
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) February 17, 2026
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