‘Convicted or not’: Wasim Akram breaks silence on Imran Khan’s health – ‘I miss him a lot’

Wasim Akram and Imran Khan Wasim Akram has become the latest high-profile cricket figure to publicly express concern over the health of his former Pakistan captain and close friend Imran Khan, insisting that his legal status should not prevent him from receiving proper medical care.Imran, 73, has been in prison since 2022 after being convicted in several corruption cases, charges he denies. Akram, however, said that while the legal proceedings must take place, there should be no compromise on the health of his former mentor.“I haven’t spoken to him in three years. It’s so unfortunate, politically, what’s happening with him. The court is the court. But when it comes to his health, there’s no compromise on that,” Akram told The Athletic.The former Pakistan fast bowler also made an emotional plea while stressing that his comments were rooted in his relationship with Imran as a friend, rather than politics.“I speak from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not. Jail or no jail. We have to protect his health. We don’t know what’s going on, the government says his health is apparently fine. But I’m worried. I miss him so much,” he said.

“Here in Pakistan? I’m not so sure”

Akram also questioned whether enough was being done in Pakistan to address concerns over Imran’s health and pointed to international efforts for better conditions for the former Pakistan captain.“There is a movement (to improve Imran’s conditions) in England and elsewhere, but here (in Pakistan)? I’m not so sure,” Wasim said.The comments come amid growing international concern over Imran’s reported health and access to medical care. Last week, West Indies great Brian Lara joined a growing list of former international captains who demanded proper treatment and humane conditions for the 1992 World Cup-winning captain.As many as 22 international captains have written an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asking for proper medical care and humane treatment for Imran. The concerns were also echoed by Australian captain Pat Cummins, while Lara described Imran as a “legend of our game” who deserved “basic humanity”.Former Pakistani players also spoke up. Javed Miandad made an emotional plea for Imran’s release, urging a resolution to the differences between the former prime minister and the government, with Moin Khan and Ramiz Raja subsequently expressing concern for his welfare.Akram also referred to an interview given by Imran’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, during the ongoing England-Pakistan series, in which they expressed concern about their father’s safety in jail.“Then there was a bit of an uproar here (in Pakistan). Then I read that the Pakistani government came out with how many visits Imran had, with all the numbers, with all the phone calls he had. But you know, it’s hard to believe and it’s hard to know what to believe right now,” Akram said.His comments come after a court ordered Imran’s admission to a specific hospital and allowed him access to his personal doctor and nurse.