Pat Cummins joins Greg Chappell and former cricketers in public support of ex-Pakistan captain Imran Khan | Cricket News
Cricket News · Deepanjan Mitra · 2026-08-28T16:17:28+00:00 · nguồn gốc
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Australia Test captain Pat Cummins publicly endorses the appeal seeking proper medical treatment for ex-Pakistan captain Imran Khan.
- Cummins is the first active captain to join the campaign led by Greg Chappell and signed by 23 former skippers.
- The petition urges compliance with court orders, independent medical evaluation, and uninterrupted family visitation for the 73-year-old icon.
Pat Cummins joins Greg Chappell in public support of ex-Pakistan captain Imran Khan
Australia captain Pat Cummins has become the latest international skipper to put his weight behind the international appeal advocating for humane treatment and court-mandated medical care for jailed former Pakistan captain Imran Khan.
Led by former Aussie legend Greg Chappell, the appeal had already been signed by 23 former skippers, with Cummins becoming the first active player to support the initiaive.
The campaign comes amid growing health concerns for the 73-year-old World Cup winner. Since being jailed at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, Khan has spent three years in complete isolation. Recent reports indicate that Khan is also dealing with severe physical strain, including failing eyesight in his right eye due to prolonged isolation.
In support of Chappell's comments, Cummins urged authorities to respect judicial directives regarding Khan's welfare and allow family visits to continue without interruption. His statement adds significant global visibility to an issue previously driven primarily by retired legends.
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Pat Cummins backs Chappell's petition demanding humane treatment for Imran Khan
Australia Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins took to social media to publicly endorse the campaign initiated by Greg Chappell, calling for basic dignity and medical compliance for the former Pakistan prime minister.
Quoting a broadcast clip of Chappell discussing Khan's declining health on The Grade Cricketer podcast on X, Cummins emphasised that judicial orders regarding medical evaluations must be honoured in full by local authorities.
"Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court-ordered medical assessment is allowed to run its course and that family visits continue," Cummins posted on X. "I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves."
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 https://t.co/L1L512wXao
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) August 28, 2026
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Why are former international captains writing to the Pakistan government?
The joint letter addressed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif features signatures from former international captains, including Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Dilip Vengsarkar, alongside Steve Waugh, Sir Alastair Cook, and Michael Atherton.
The petition calls for a comprehensive health assessment by a Supreme Court-directed medical board that includes Khan's personal physicians. The appeal follows a recent controversy where Khan was briefly examined by state-appointed doctors at a government facility rather than receiving the full evaluation ordered by the top court.
Chappell highlighted grave concerns regarding Khan's physical and mental health after years of solitary confinement. "Imran is as strong physically and mentally as anyone I played against, but I don't know how you deal with absolute isolation for three years," Chappell stated, noting reports of Khan struggling with vision loss in his right eye.
Why Pat Cummins speaking out marks a significant moment for international cricket
Active international captains rarely engage publicly with issues involving foreign political leadership or overseas legal proceedings. By choosing to lend his name to the appeal, Pat Cummins has broken from traditional diplomatic caution to defend a fellow cricketer's basic welfare.
The move underscores a deep sense of camaraderie within the global cricketing fraternity that transcends national boundaries and political rivalries. By focusing strictly on court directives, family access, and medical care, Cummins and his fellow signatories have framed the issue not as a political stance, but as a matter of universal human decency.
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