Cricket Legends and UN Demand Fair Treatment for Jailed Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan

The cricket legends expressed “profound concern” over reports of Khan’s worsening health during his more than 800 days in custody.

RMN News Human Rights Desk
New Delhi | February 17, 2026

AHMEDABAD / GENEVA – A growing international chorus, comprising 14 legendary cricket captains and a United Nations human rights official, has called on the Pakistan government to address the “inhumane” detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In a significant collective appeal, 14 former national captains from five countries—including India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, and Australia’s Greg Chappell—urged the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure Khan receives immediate medical attention. The signatories, which also include icons like Allan Border, Clive Lloyd, and Steve Waugh, stated that Khan deserves to be treated with the dignity befitting a “global sporting icon” and a democratically elected leader.

Alarming Health Reports

The cricket legends expressed “profound concern” over reports of Khan’s worsening health during his more than 800 days in custody. A court-appointed lawyer recently claimed that the 72-year-old former leader has been left with only 15 percent vision in his right eye after authorities allegedly ignored his medical complaints for three months.

These reports follow a December 2025 warning from Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture. Edwards urged Pakistan to take “immediate and effective action” to address the “undignified detention conditions” of Khan, warning that his treatment could potentially amount to torture or degrading treatment. Khan suffers from a history of health issues, including a serious spinal injury from 2013 and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt.

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A Call for Sportsmanship and Humanity

The appeal from the cricket captains—which also includes Michael Atherton, Ian Chappell, David Gower, and Nasser Hussain—emphasized that their plea was made in the “spirit of sportsmanship and common humanity”.

“Cricket has long been a bridge between nations,” the letter stated. “Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn—and respect endures”.

The group requested that the Government of Pakistan provide Khan with:

• Immediate and ongoing medical attention from qualified specialists of his choosing.
• Humane detention conditions in line with international standards, including regular family visits.
• Fair and transparent access to legal processes.

Domestic and Political Reaction

Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, has also spoken out against his treatment and deteriorating health. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party founded by Khan, issued a statement strongly condemning the “serious deterioration” of his eyesight and the overall conditions of his two-and-a-half-year incarceration.

As of February 2026, the international community continues to monitor the situation, with the signatories of the cricket appeal calling on authorities to “uphold the principles of decency and justice”.