New Delhi, 28 August (H.S.):

Australia’s Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has backed an appeal seeking dignified treatment and appropriate medical care for former Pakistan captain and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The appeal has been submitted to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by several former international captains, including former Australia captain Greg Chappell.

The appeal calls for Imran Khan to be allowed to meet his family, undergo an independent medical examination and receive treatment in accordance with court directions. The petition has been signed by 21 former international captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar.

Cummins wrote on his X account on Friday, “I’m in support of GC (Greg Chappell) and the other former international captains. I hope the medical examination ordered by the court is allowed to be completed and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the respect that every person deserves.”

The petition has expressed serious concern over the health condition of 73-year-old Imran Khan, particularly reports that his right-eye vision has been significantly affected. Khan has been in custody for more than three years.

The petitioners have put forward three key demands: a comprehensive medical examination by a medical board constituted under the direction of the Supreme Court, with Imran Khan’s personal physician also included; uninterrupted weekly meetings with his family; and the immediate implementation of treatment recommended by doctors.

In the appeal, the former captains described themselves as “former teammates and opponents connected by relationships forged on the cricket field” and said that this bond transcends the borders and disputes that often divide nations.

Imran Khan led Pakistan to its first ODI World Cup title in 1992. He also served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. He was imprisoned in August 2023 in connection with several cases. His party and supporters have repeatedly described the cases as politically motivated.

The joint appeal comes amid a controversy over the medical examination of Imran Khan. Instead of being examined by his personal physicians, he was examined by a team of doctors appointed by the state at a government hospital. The petitioners maintain that Pakistan’s Supreme Court had directed that he be examined by his personal doctors.

Earlier, Greg Chappell had also expressed concern over Imran Khan’s deteriorating health during an appearance on The Grade Cricketer podcast. Chappell said he had met Imran in Pakistan around six years ago, when he appeared strong and healthy, but that his condition was no longer the same.

Chappell also raised concerns about Imran’s right-eye problem, prolonged isolation and mental health. He said three years of complete isolation could have a serious impact on both mental and physical health.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar