Wasim Akram Raises Concern Over Imran Khan’s Health, Calls for Proper Treatment

Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has expressed concern over the health of former Pakistan prime minister and 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, saying there should be no compromise when it comes to ensuring his proper medical treatment.

Speaking to The Athletic, Akram described Imran as both his friend and mentor. He said he was speaking about Imran’s health from a humanitarian perspective, while keeping politics aside.

“He is my friend. I miss him a lot. I haven’t spoken to him for three years. What is happening to him politically is very unfortunate. The law of the court is the law of the court. But when it comes to his health, there can be no compromise,” Akram said.

Imran Khan has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023. He has been sentenced to different prison terms in several cases, including corruption charges. Imran and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have denied the allegations.

Imran served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before continuing his political career after retiring from cricket.

Growing concern over Imran Khan’s health

Concern over Imran’s physical condition has increased in recent weeks. Last month, 22 former Pakistan captains reportedly wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for proper medical treatment for the former captain and requesting access for his personal doctor and family members.

The latest concerns also followed a court order regarding Imran’s medical care. Pakistan’s Supreme Court had directed that he be admitted to Islamabad’s Shifa Hospital. However, he was instead taken to the government-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). After undergoing medical tests, he was reportedly returned to prison shortly afterwards.

Akram said public pressure over Imran’s condition appears to be growing in countries such as England, but he was unsure about the situation inside Pakistan.

“I’m speaking from the heart because I’m concerned about him as a human being. Whether he is convicted or not, whether he is in prison or not, his health needs to be protected. We don’t know what is happening. The government says he is healthy. But I am concerned,” Akram said.

Imran’s sons also expressed concern

During the lunch break on the first day of the ongoing England-Pakistan Lord’s Test, Sky Sports aired an interview with Imran’s two sons, Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan. They expressed concern over their father’s physical condition.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complained to Sky Sports about the interview. There were also reports that Pakistan had considered not taking the field in protest. The match eventually went ahead as scheduled, with Pakistan losing by 194 runs.

Reflecting on the episode, Akram said the Pakistani government later issued a statement detailing the number of people who had met Imran and the number of phone calls made to him. However, he admitted that it was difficult to know which information to believe.

Wasim Akram remembers his bond with Imran

Imran Khan played an important role in Akram’s early cricket career, and Akram has often credited him as a mentor.

The two remained in regular contact even after Akram retired from international cricket. Akram said he used to visit Imran and spend time with him, adding that he misses talking to his former captain and friend.

Akram was part of Imran’s Pakistan side at the 1992 World Cup. In the final against England, he scored 33 runs from 18 balls before taking three wickets, playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s historic World Cup triumph.

Several other prominent cricketers have recently spoken about Imran’s health. Australia captain Pat Cummins has also expressed support for calls concerning his condition, while West Indies legend Brian Lara described Imran as a “legend of our game” and said he deserved basic human treatment.

Former Pakistan cricketers Javed Miandad, Moin Khan and Ramiz Raja have also spoken publicly in support of Imran Khan.