Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney
Sydney, Aug 29: Australia captain Pat Cummins has backed a group of former international cricket captains calling for proper medical treatment and continued family access for former Pakistan captain and ex-prime minister Imran Khan, who remains in prison.
Cummins expressed his support after sharing a video by The Grade Cricketer, in which former Australia captain Greg Chappell discussed concerns surrounding Khan's health and treatment in custody.
"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 wrote on X.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns in Pakistan over Khan's health and the medical care available to him while in prison.
As many as 22 former international cricket captains have written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, renewing their request for Khan to receive appropriate medical treatment.
The former captains had earlier written to the Pakistan government during the year when 14 former international captains appealed for medical care for Khan. However, they said the letter received no response.
Khan's family has also repeatedly raised concerns over his access to medical treatment. His sons have called for proper healthcare for their father, while his sisters and sons have expressed concern over his access to his personal doctor and family members.
The issue intensified after Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that Khan be transferred to Shifa Hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment.
However, Khan was instead taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital for a medical check-up before being returned to prison. His family has alleged that the Supreme Court's order was not properly followed.
The latest letter to Shehbaz Sharif has been signed by several prominent former captains from across the cricketing world.
The signatories include Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Michael Gatting, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Lee Germon, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Steve Waugh and John Wright.
Khan, who captained Pakistan to its historic 1992 ODI World Cup triumph, has remained imprisoned amid ongoing legal and political proceedings.
His health and access to medical treatment have increasingly drawn attention from the international cricket community, with former players and captains calling for his medical needs, family access and dignity to be respected.