Concern over Imran Khan’s health and his treatment in prison has received support from Australia captain Pat Cummins, who backed former Australian skipper Greg Chappell’s appeal for the former Pakistan captain to receive proper medical attention and access to his family.
Khan, 73, has been in prison since August 2023, while concerns about his physical condition have grown in recent months. A group of former international captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have also called for an independent medical assessment of Khan, particularly amid reports that his eyesight has deteriorated.
Cummins joined the appeal and said the matter should be approached from a humanitarian standpoint.
“Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves,” Cummins said.
CHAPPELL QUESTIONS IMRAN KHAN’S ISOLATION
Chappell has voiced concern over Khan’s reported condition and the potential impact of prolonged isolation on his physical and mental health.
Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Chappell said he struggled to understand how anyone could endure such an extended period in isolation.
“He's been in isolation for three years. I don't know how anyone deals with that. Imran is as strong, physically and mentally, as anyone I played cricket against, but I don't know how you deal with absolute isolation for three years,” Chappell said.
The former Australia captain also questioned Khan’s reported living conditions, claiming that he believed the former Pakistan leader had limited access to books and spent much of his time in darkness.
“I don't think he's allowed books to read. He's pretty much just got to sit there and behave himself, and he's in the dark most of the time. That's not good for your mental health, and as your mental health deteriorates, your physical health is going to deteriorate as well,” he said.
Chappell recalled meeting Khan in Pakistan six years ago and described him at the time as a “strong, robust older man”.
“I met up with him in Pakistan six years ago, and he was still a strong, robust older man. That's not the case anymore. Apparently, he's struggling with the sight in his right eye,” Chappell said.
PCB COMPLAINT OVER INTERVIEW TRIGGERS LORD’S CONTROVERSY
The issue also became part of the ongoing England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s after Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, on the opening day. The brothers discussed their father’s health and claimed that his condition had deteriorated considerably during his imprisonment.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently filed a formal complaint with Sky Sports over the broadcast. Reports also suggested that the PCB had threatened to stop Pakistan’s players from returning to the field after lunch if the interview was aired. Pakistan eventually resumed play, avoiding a boycott of the Test.
The PCB’s complaint prompted a strong response from Australia batter Usman Khawaja, who reacted by saying, “This has got to be a joke.”
The episode has added to the growing debate over Khan’s treatment. While the PCB objected to what it viewed as the political nature of the broadcast, former cricketers have continued to focus on the humanitarian concerns surrounding his wellbeing. Chappell has urged greater attention to Khan’s health, while Cummins has backed calls for dignity, medical assessment and continued access to family members.
