NEW DELHI: Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has called for humane treatment and proper medical care for jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, saying he is seeking nothing beyond basic facilities and the “best treatment” for his former cricketing rival.
Kapil’s remarks came a day after 22 former international cricket captains wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the second time in six months, urging authorities to ensure adequate medical treatment for Imran Khan.
The former captains renewed their appeal following directions from Pakistan’s Supreme Court. In February, 14 former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, had raised concerns over Imran’s health amid allegations of medical negligence at Adiala Jail, where he remains incarcerated.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the DP World India Championship in New Delhi, Kapil said he was not commenting on Pakistani law but stressed that every prisoner deserves basic facilities and humane treatment.
“We want him to get the best treatment. We are not asking for anything else. We are requesting,” Kapil said.
He also said he wanted to support Imran, whom he described as a friend and a cricketer whose skills were admired by players around the world.
The letter to Sharif was signed by several prominent former captains, including Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh and John Wright.
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has remained in jail since his removal from office and subsequent convictions in corruption and other cases.
Kapil also reacted to the on-field altercation between India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test in Colombo. Both players were fined 25 per cent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Kapil said such incidents are part of cricket but players and boards must know where to draw the line.
