ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) Seven former Australian cricket captains have raised concerns over the detention of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket captain Imran Khan, urging Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to take note of reported human rights and medical care concerns.
Former Australian captains Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh wrote to Wong, making clear that they were raising the issue in their capacity as former cricket captains rather than as political or diplomatic representatives.
According to the letter, the former cricketers deliberately avoided taking a position on the legal or political cases involving Khan. Instead, they said their concerns focused on the humane treatment of any person in detention, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations.
The former captains also referred to concerns reportedly raised by Khan’s family regarding his health, access to medical facilities, restrictions on family meetings and limited access to legal consultations.
The development comes after 22 former international cricket captains had earlier written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for Khan to receive proper medical examinations, weekly meetings with family members and necessary medical treatment.
Greg Chappell had also reportedly sought a meeting with Penny Wong last month to discuss the matter. However, he has yet to receive a response, according to the report.
The intervention by the former Australian captains adds to growing international attention surrounding the conditions of Khan’s detention. Their letter specifically frames the issue around humanitarian concerns rather than an endorsement of any political position.
The former cricketers stressed that their appeal was based on the principle of ensuring appropriate treatment and access to essential healthcare for people in detention.
Khan, a former captain of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning cricket team, remains a prominent political figure in Pakistan. His legal cases and detention have continued to attract attention both domestically and internationally.
The latest move by the Australian cricket figures is expected to draw further focus to questions surrounding Khan’s health, access to medical care, family meetings and legal consultation while in custody.
