Kapil Dev Advocates for Imran Khan’s Humane Treatment in Prison
Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev expressed his support on Monday for the compassionate treatment of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and World Cup-winning captain, who is currently imprisoned. Kapil emphasized the importance of providing Khan with adequate medical care and fundamental amenities.
In a second plea sent to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the last six months, several former cricketers have urged the authorities to ensure Khan receives appropriate medical attention following the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Earlier in February, a group of 14 former international cricket captains, including famous players like Sunil Gavaskar, voiced concerns about Khan’s health, citing medical negligence during his detention at Adiala prison.
Kapil noted that while he may not be familiar with the legal specifics in Pakistan, he firmly believes that every prisoner deserves to be treated with dignity and given basic necessities. “Regardless of the law, there should be humility and basic facilities for all prisoners. He was a former Prime Minister and a renowned cricketer,” Kapil stated during the launch of the DP World India Championship.
He further said, “We hope he receives the best possible treatment. We are not asking for special privileges, just basic care.”
Despite the serious situation, few Pakistani cricketers have publicly voiced support for Khan, aside from Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Kapil understood their silence, explaining, “I don’t blame them; they are in Pakistan. But from our perspective, I’m here to support my friend and admire his cricketing skills.”
The letter advocating for Khan’s health was signed by notable cricket figures, including Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Gavaskar, David Gower, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh, and John Wright.
Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 until his ousting in 2022 due to corruption allegations, and he has been in jail ever since.
Kapil Comments on Jaiswal-Fernando Confrontation
In addition to his support for Khan, Kapil also addressed the recent confrontation between Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando during the second Test match in Colombo. The two players were involved in a heated exchange after Fernando took Jaiswal’s wicket. Both players have since been fined 25% of their match fees for violating the ICC Code of Conduct.
Kapil remarked, “Such things can happen in cricket; you have to move forward. Every player has their own character. If that’s how Jaiswal wants to play, that’s perfectly fine. However, the cricket board needs to set boundaries to ensure that players don’t cross them.”
