Wasim Akram has become the latest high-profile cricketer to voice concern over the health of his former Pakistan captain and close friend Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases. Khan has denied wrongdoing.
Akram, who played under Imran during Pakistan’s successful 1992 World Cup campaign, stressed that his concerns were about the former captain’s health rather than the legal proceedings against him.
“I haven’t spoken to him for three years. It’s so unfortunate, politically, what’s happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that,” Akram told The Athletic.
The former Pakistan fast bowler said he remained worried about Imran despite not knowing enough about his current condition, while expressing uncertainty over the information emerging from Pakistan.
“I’m speaking from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don’t know what’s happening, the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I’m worried. I miss him a lot.”
Akram also pointed to growing international concern over Imran’s situation, saying there had been efforts in England and elsewhere to improve his conditions, while questioning the level of response within Pakistan.
WASIM, MIANDAD AND CUMMINS JOIN GROWING CONCERN
Among Imran’s former Pakistan teammates, Javed Miandad has also spoken emotionally about his prolonged imprisonment. Miandad broke down during an interview while defending the integrity of the man with whom he shared the Pakistan dressing room for years.
“He is an honest man. He is not someone who engages in corrupt practices, otherwise he would have done a lot of things,” Miandad said, while questioning what harm could come from releasing Imran.
The concerns have also prompted a wider response from the international cricket community. 22 former international captains wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the authorities to ensure proper medical care and humane treatment for Imran.
Australia captain Pat Cummins became the first active international captain to publicly support the appeal. Sharing former Australia captain Greg Chappell’s comments, Cummins backed calls for the court-ordered medical assessment to be allowed to run its course, while also stressing the importance of family visits and Imran being treated with dignity.
West Indies great Brian Lara has also joined the wider chorus of concern, adding to the growing list of prominent figures from the cricket world speaking about Imran’s situation.
Imran, now 73, remains at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. For Akram, however, the issue extends beyond cricket, politics and imprisonment. His appeal is centred on the wellbeing of a former captain, teammate and friend whose influence on Pakistan cricket remains deeply significant.
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