In a rare and powerful display of cross-border solidarity, 14 legendary international cricket captains, including Indian icons Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have issued a joint appeal to the Government of Pakistan on February 17, 2026.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expresses ‘profound concern’ over the deteriorating health of the 1992 World Cup-winning skipper Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since 2023. This extraordinary intervention by the global cricketing fraternity highlights the severe medical crisis facing the 73-year-old, specifically reports of significant vision loss. By setting aside political and national rivalries, these sporting titans have called for basic human dignity and specialized care for a man they describe as a “global sporting icon.”
14 legends demand dignity for Pakistan iconic captain Imran Khan
The appeal, spearheaded by former Australian captain Greg Chappell, serves as a moral plea from a “Who’s Who” of cricketing history, featuring names like Clive Lloyd, Allan Border and Steve Waugh. The signatories emphasized that while their competitive battles on the field were fierce, the respect for a peer of Khan’s stature must transcend the boundary rope during his time of personal crisis.
The letter states: “As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader.”
By involving figures like Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, the petition carries immense weight in the subcontinent, reminding the authorities that the eyes of the world are on the treatment of a man who led Pakistan to its greatest sporting triumph. The captains collectively urged the government to honor the spirit of sportsmanship: “Cricket has long been a bridge between nations. Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn and respect endures.”
Imran Khan’s alarming medical reports from Adiala Jail
The catalyst for this high-profile intervention was a series of distressing reports concerning Khan’s health within Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, most notably a claim that he has lost 85% of the vision in his right eye. According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by a court-appointed lawyer on February 10, 2026, the former Prime Minister is suffering from persistent blurred vision and retinal issues that were allegedly ignored for months by jail authorities.
The 14 captains have specifically demanded: “Immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing to address his reported health issues.” While a government medical board recently claimed a slight improvement in his vision to 6/9 with glasses, his family and the PTI party remain skeptical, describing the state-conducted examinations as “malicious” and “unacceptable” without the presence of personal physicians. The captains’ letter underscores the urgency, stating: “Recent reports concerning his health, particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody, have caused us profound concern.”
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The full list of legendary signatories: From Kapil Dev to Clive Lloyd
The petition represents a unprecedented collective effort, uniting captains from India, Australia, England, the West Indies, and New Zealand in a singular humanitarian cause. Beyond the immediate health concerns, the letter advocates for “humane and dignified conditions of detention in line with international standards, including regular visits by close family members and fair and transparent access to legal processes.”
The list of signatories is a 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 Wright, alongside Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Their joint statement concludes with a powerful reminder of Khan’s 1992 legacy: “He led Pakistan to their historic 1992 Cricket World Cup victory, a triumph built 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 Pakistan govt to ensure Imran Khan receives necessary medical treatment. pic.twitter.com/y7oO10DWGd
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) February 17, 2026
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