Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan (Photo AP) A number of cricketing figures – including Indian icons Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar – have come out in support of former Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan, who has been jailed for more than two years. Reports suggest that Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has almost lost the sight in one eye, allegedly due to medical negligence during his imprisonment. He was removed from office after several allegations of corruption.The push for better treatment for Khan gained momentum earlier this week when former Australian captain Greg Chappell initiated a petition calling on the authorities to ensure proper medical care for the jailed leader. Several former international captains supported the challenge.In an interview with Australian journalists Gideon Haigh and Peter Lalor, Chappell explained what prompted him to act.“And so, you know, I’ve been watching him and keeping in touch with him as much as possible, but since he’s been in prison, it hasn’t been possible. I’m in regular contact with one of his best friends, and his family hasn’t been able to see him while he’s in prison. So I was concerned for a while, but I thought my voice wasn’t clear? and he said, ‘Well, why don’t you talk to other captains and see if you can get a group of captains to say that they would that might have carried a little more weight.’Given the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan and Khan’s firm stance on India during his tenure as prime minister, public support for the Indian cricket giants was far from certain. Although Khan visited India several times as both a cricketer and a political leader and developed personal ties there, many of his Indian acquaintances remained silent after his imprisonment.Chappell admitted he was impressed with how quickly Gavaskar and Kapil agreed to support the initiative. “Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev were probably under more pressure than the rest of us, but both responded immediately. You must have seen Sunny’s comments… They have been friends for a long time,” he said.Earlier, Gavaskar spoke about his long association with Khan in remarks that attracted attention on both sides of the border. “I have known Imran since he was 17 when India played in Worcester… after winning the Test series at The Oval. He was then trying to qualify as an overseas player for Worcestershire. Whatever political differences there may be, we believe he should be looked after in a humane manner and given proper medical attention,” he told The Indian Express.Others who have signed the petition include Ian Chappell, Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Michael Brearley, David Gower, Steve Waugh, John Wright, Kim Hughes and Belinda Clark.
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