Cricket

Brian Lara Joins Growing Chorus of Cricket Legends Supporting Imran Khan

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 5, 2026, 20:36 IST

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has publicly called for humane treatment and proper medical care for imprisoned Pakistan legend Imran Khan, joining a global group of former international captains advocating for his wellbeing.

Brian Lara Joins Growing Chorus of Cricket Legends Supporting Imran Khan

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has become the latest high-profile figure in the cricketing world to advocate for the welfare of imprisoned former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan. In a public statement, Lara emphasised the need for the 1992 World Cup-winning leader to receive appropriate medical attention and to be treated with the dignity afforded to any individual.

Lara’s intervention highlights the deepening concern among the global cricket community regarding the conditions surrounding Khan, who has been in custody since 2023. Expressing his sentiments via social media, the legendary batsman noted that his respect for the former Pakistan leader was established during their limited encounters on the field, and he urged for a focus on humanitarian considerations rather than political discourse.

A Global Call for Medical Care and Dignity

The appeal from the West Indies icon aligns with a broader movement led by a collective of former international captains, including Australia’s Greg Chappell. This group has consistently petitioned for an independent medical assessment for the 73-year-old, alongside the continuation of family visitation rights. The campaign is supported by a significant list of former greats, such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Michael Atherton, Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, and Nasser Hussain.

The primary focus of these advocates is the health of the former captain, specifically addressing reports concerning vision impairment in his right eye. The signatories have formally requested that authorities ensure a court-directed medical process is carried out, which would include an evaluation by a board featuring Khan’s personal physicians. Furthermore, they are calling for the immediate implementation of any medical treatments deemed necessary by those professionals.

Expanding Support Across the Cricket World

The campaign has gained significant momentum with the involvement of current international stars. Australia captain Pat Cummins recently utilised social media to endorse the initiative, expressing his hope that the court-ordered medical assessment proceeds as planned and that Khan is afforded the dignity he deserves. This support from active players underscores the widespread professional solidarity for the former Pakistan leader.

Domestically, voices within Pakistan have also grown louder, with former wicketkeeper Moin Khan among those encouraging the cricketing fraternity to speak out on the matter. While Khan remains in custody following convictions in corruption cases that he continues to deny, the international coalition of former players remains focused on the humanitarian aspects of his detention, insisting that the provision of medical care and family access is a matter of basic human rights for a figure who remains a central icon of the sport.