New Delhi: The legendary Kapil Dev on Monday called for humane treatment of jailed former Pakistan World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, a day after former international cricketers wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the second time on the issue.
Twenty-two former international captains from around the world have written a second letter in six months to Sharif, renewing their appeal for medical treatment for Imran following directives from Pakistan's Supreme Court.
In February this year, 14 former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, had expressed deep concern over Imran's health following allegations of medical negligence at Adiala prison, where he is being held by the authorities.
Kapil said he is not aware of Pakistani laws but urged the authorities to ensure basic facilities and humane treatment for Imran.
"We don't know the law of the country, that's fine. But there should be humility and basic facilities for a prisoner, whoever may be. And he was a former Prime Minister of the country and a top cricketer of the world," Kapil, who is the president of DP World Professional Golf Tour of India, said on the sidelines of the launch of DP World India Championship here.
"We want he should get the best treatment. What we are asking for, we are not asking for anything else, we are not asking for any replies. We are requesting."
Apart from Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, no other high-profile Pakistani cricketer has publicly come out in support of Imran or called for adequate medical treatment for the former captain.
"I don't blame them because they are Pakistani cricketers and staying there but we are looking from outside. I would like to support my friend with whom we played and admired his cricketing skills," Kapil said.
The 22 signatories to the letter include Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Gavaskar, David Gower, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh and John Wright among others.
Imran served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022 but has been in jail since he was removed from office and subsequently convicted in corruption and other cases.
Kapil also commented on the heated exchange between young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan seamer Asitha Fernando on the opening day of the second Test in Colombo on Sunday.
The two players were involved in a heated exchange after Jaiswal was dismissed by Fernando.
Both players were on Monday fined 25 per cent of their match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for the altercation.
"Those things happen, you have to move on. Look at the positive side. That's his (Jaiswal's) way, that's his way. It's fine, every player has his own character. If that's the way he wants to play, good luck to him. But the cricket board has to see where they have to draw a line and the player shouldn't cross that line."
