14 former captains including Kapil and Gavaskar expressed concern over Imran Khan’s health, wrote a letter to PM Shahbaz Sharif, no Pakistani among them

By Samira Vishwas On Feb 17, 2026

Islamabad. Concern is increasing in the international cricket world about the health of former Prime Minister of Pakistan and 1992 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan. Amid reports of 73-year-old Imran’s deteriorating health condition, 14 former international captains of the world have written a joint letter to the Pakistan government demanding immediate and proper medical care.

It is noteworthy that the name of not a single former Pakistani captain is included in this list, whereas in recent times, some Pakistani veterans had definitely raised the demand for better treatment through social media.

Appeal to Pak Prime Minister

The former captains, in a letter addressed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have expressed deep concern over the detention of Imran Khan and the treatment being meted out to him. The letter said that Imran Khan has been one of the greatest all-rounders and inspirational captains of world cricket.

He led Pakistan to its first and historic World Cup title in 1992, which is considered a symbol of sportsmanship and leadership. Former captains have written that recent reports about his health, especially his failing eyesight, are extremely worrying. He has urged the Pakistan government to provide immediate treatment to Imran from specialist doctors and the conditions of detention should be kept humane and dignified.

Which legends signed?

The signatories to the joint letter include former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Apart from these, prominent names are Australia’s Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Kim Hughes and Steve Waugh, England’s Michael Atherton, Nasir Hussain, Michael Brierley and David Gower, West Indies’ Clive Lloyd, New Zealand’s John Wright and former Australian women’s captain Belinda Clark.

The absence of name of any former Pakistani captain in this list remains a topic of discussion.

Increased concern about health

According to reports, about 85 percent of the vision in Imran Khan’s right eye has been lost. His family has alleged that they are not being allowed to meet him in jail. In December 2025, his son Suleman claimed that he was kept in a very small cell, which was called ‘death cell’.

Imran Khan is in jail since August 2023. After being removed from power in the year 2022, several corruption cases were registered against him. He was sentenced to 31 years in prison in December 2025.

Silence of Pakistani veterans

Although recently former Pakistani players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi had demanded better medical care for Imran through social media, the formal joint letter is not signed by any former Pakistani captain.

Human appeal beyond sports

At the end of the letter, the former captains have clarified that this appeal has not been made for the purpose of interfering in any legal process, but on the basis of sporting spirit and human values. He wrote, “Cricket has always worked as a bridge between countries. The rivalry is limited to the pitch, respect always prevails.”

The growing global concern over Imran Khan’s health has now become a topic of discussion in political and diplomatic circles as well.