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Amid growing concerns about former Pakistan cricket team captain and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, seven former Australia cricket team captains approached the country's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, to ensure Imran's healthcare in a diplomatic way. The seven former captains wrote a formal letter to the minister to express their concerns.
Imran Khan is in jail in Rawalpindi. During Pakistan's tour of England for a three-match Test series, an interview with Imran's sons, Kasim and Suleiman, escalated tensions over the current situation of the former Pakistan captain who led the national team to win the 1996 World Cup. Kasim and Suleiman claimed that their father is forced to live in a tiny cell for most of the day without basic amenities like books and medical support.
Imran Khan's health conditions have been growing concerns
Imran Khan, who is now 73, reportedly needs proper medical attention, and the highest court of Pakistan also asked the government to provide the medical facilities. But Kasim and Suleiman said that even after the court's order, the Government of Pakistan showed no sign of cooperation with Imran's medical welfare.
On multiple occasions, former cricketers across the globe expressed their thoughts in support of the former Pakistan cricketer to the government of Pakistan. But those letters seemingly proved ineffective.
Greg Chappell wants to meet with Australia's foreign minister
Now, in the latest development, seven former Australia National cricket team captains, in a joint letter, have seeked helped of the country's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. Greg Chappell, the former Australia captain, who coached Team India before, is likely to meet the foreign minister in person to discuss Imran's circumstances.
Allan Border, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh are other former Aussie captains who formed a group exclusively to support the former cricketer.
Portions of the exclusive letter have been published
Hindustan Times, in its latest article, quoted some portion of the letters which have been sent to the foreign minister. In the letter, it is mentioned that Chappell last saw Imran Khan in 2022, when he was the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Since then, situations have changed drastically, with reports claiming the deteriorating health of the former captain and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, while living in Jail.
"Greg Chappell last saw Imran Khan in Islamabad in 2022, when Khan was Prime Minister - hale, hearty and fit, by his account. It is hard to reconcile that image with the reports now coming out of his detention, and that is why we write to you today, not as diplomats or political actors, but as former Australian captains who felt we should speak up," the letter reads.
"Mr Khan led Pakistan to its only World Cup title. He also led his country as Prime Minister. Australians hold him in great regard — as a cricketer whose skill and leadership left a lasting mark on the game we share, and as someone who has helped improve the lives of Pakistanis by building cancer hospitals,” the seven captains further stated.
