Pat Cummins Supports Former International Captains’ Joint Plea for Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has publicly thrown his significant weight behind a growing global campaign for better medical treatment and dignified care for former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Cummins's statement, made on Friday, August 28, 2026, aligns him with 21 other cricketing luminaries who have collectively urged the Pakistani government to address concerns surrounding Khan's health and detention conditions. Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev Among 21 Former International Cricket Captains Urge Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif for 'Humane Treatment' of Imran Khan.

Pat Cummins Supports Imran Khan

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

"Adding my support here to GC [Greg Chappell] 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, reinforcing the sentiment of the collective appeal.

Renewed International Concern

The recent surge in appeals follows a fresh letter sent to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week, signed by 21 former international captains, including Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, and Australian legends Greg and Ian Chappell. This marks the second such letter within six months, with an initial appeal made in February 2026 by 14 former captains. The cricketing fraternity, transcending national boundaries, has expressed "profound concern" over reports regarding Khan's health and his conditions in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, where he has been incarcerated since August 2023.

Health and Prison Conditions

Imran Khan, 74, who led Pakistan to a historic World Cup victory in 1992, has faced multiple legal cases since his ouster from premiership in April 2022. While some convictions have been overturned, new charges have kept him in custody, which he and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), maintain are politically motivated.

Concerns about Khan's health escalated significantly in early 2026, particularly regarding a serious eye condition. By February 2026, his lawyer reported an 85% vision loss in his right eye due to central retinal vein occlusion, attributing it to delayed treatment since October 2025. While authorities reported an eye procedure in January 2026 and stated he was declared "100% medically fit" after a recent examination, the group of cricketers has questioned the procedure, stating it did not fully comply with a Supreme Court order. PCB Threatens Player Protest Over Broadcaster's Interview with Imran Khan's Sons During PAK vs ENG 2nd Test 2026 at Lord's.

Timeline of Recent Concerns:

• October 2025: Alleged onset of right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with delayed treatment.
• January 2026: Khan undergoes an eye procedure at a government hospital.
• February 2026: Lawyers report 85% vision loss in right eye; 14 former captains issue first appeal.
• August 18, 2026: Pakistan's Supreme Court orders Khan's transfer to Shifa International Hospital for examination by a medical board, including his personal physicians.
• August 20-21, 2026: Khan briefly transferred to a government hospital (PIMS) for a few hours, examined by a state-appointed team, declared medically fit, and returned to Adiala Jail before the full court-ordered board could complete its work.
• August 23-26, 2026: 21 former international captains send a renewed appeal letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif.
• August 28, 2026: Pat Cummins publicly backs the campaign.

Prominent figures like former England captain Michael Atherton have voiced concerns beyond medical care, highlighting what they perceive as an effort by the Pakistani state to "erase" Khan from public life. Khan's sons have also recently held a press conference expressing fears for their father's life due to alleged harsh prison conditions and denied visitation rights.

The unified appeal from the global cricket community underscores a humanitarian concern for a legend of the sport, urging the Pakistani authorities to uphold due process and ensure that Imran Khan receives the necessary medical attention and dignified treatment every individual deserves, in line with the Supreme Court's directives.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 05:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).