Published : 15 Sep 2026, 08:31 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:50 AM
Jailed former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has received support from seven former Australian cricket captains, who have written to their Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong raising concerns over his treatment in detention.
Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh signed the letter, which highlights concerns over Khan’s health, medical care and access to his family and legal counsel, India Today reports.
The former captains stressed that they were not taking a position on the legal or political cases against Khan. Rather, they said they were speaking as former cricket captains who felt compelled to raise what they described as a matter of “basic humanity”.
Concern Over Khan’s Health
Former Pakistan prime minister Khan, 73, has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases. His prolonged detention and reported health concerns have prompted his family and former cricketers to call for proper medical attention.
The latest letter referred to repeated concerns raised by Khan’s sons and sisters over his condition, including limited medical care, restricted contact with his family and limited access to legal counsel.
The Australian captains said their concern was focused on the treatment of a person in detention, regardless of his political position.
The appeal is the latest in a series of interventions by former international cricket captains.
On Aug 23, 22 former captains from around the world wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling for better medical treatment for Khan.
They urged authorities to allow a medical board ordered by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, including doctors chosen by Khan, to conduct a full and independent assessment of his health.
They also called for weekly family visits ordered by the court to be restored and for any recommended treatment to be provided without delay.
That appeal followed an earlier letter signed by 14 former international captains in February.
Australian Cricket Greats Speak Up
Greg Chappell also sought a meeting with Wong last month to discuss the matter on behalf of the group, but has not received a response.
Several former Pakistan cricketers, including Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan, have also spoken publicly about Khan’s situation. Current Australia captain Pat Cummins has previously called for the former Pakistan skipper to be treated with dignity.
West Indies great Brian Lara was among the latest high-profile former captains to speak out, saying he struggled to understand how someone who had once been a source of hope and inspiration for Pakistan could now be in a situation where he was not being treated with compassion and dignity.
The latest letter adds the voices of seven prominent Australian cricket figures to the international calls for Khan to receive proper care while in detention.
