Seven former Australian cricket captains have appealed to the government to raise concerns about Imran Khan’s health and welfare while he remains imprisoned in Pakistan.

Seven former Australian cricket captains have urged the Australian government to intervene over concerns about the health and welfare of former Pakistan prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023.

The group, comprising Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Kim Hughes, Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Belinda Clark, has appealed to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to raise concerns about Khan’s condition and treatment in detention.

Khan, 73, is being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The former Pakistan captain’s supporters have repeatedly expressed concerns about his health and the conditions of his imprisonment. The former Australian captains have stressed that their appeal is humanitarian and does not seek to interfere in Pakistan’s political or legal affairs.

The cricketing figures said they were concerned about the wellbeing of a fellow former international captain who remains behind bars. Their intervention focuses on ensuring that Khan receives appropriate medical care and is treated humanely while in custody.

Greg Chappell has previously spoken publicly about his concerns over Khan’s health after seeing footage in which the former Pakistan leader appeared frail and was using a wheelchair. Chappell has also expressed concern about the possible impact of prolonged isolation on Khan’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Khan led Pakistan to its only Cricket World Cup title in 1992 before entering politics. He became prime minister in 2018 but was removed from office in 2022 following a no-confidence vote. He has remained in prison since 2023 while facing several legal cases.

The latest appeal comes amid growing international attention to Khan’s circumstances. Earlier, a group of former international cricket captains had also written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging authorities to safeguard Khan’s health and basic rights.

The seven former Australian captains have deliberately kept their latest intervention separate from Khan’s political and legal disputes, saying their concern is centred on his welfare and medical condition.

The Australian government has not publicly indicated what action it may take following the appeal.


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