New Delhi: Former Australia captain Greg Chappell has raised serious concerns about the isolation of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricketer Imran Khan. Chappell shared his worries about Khan’s health in prison, as the former cricketer serves a 14-year sentence for multiple charges.
Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Chappell said Khan was struggling and no longer looked like the strong man he had met six years ago.
“I mean, 73 years of age, so obviously, you know, he’s getting older, but I met up with him in Pakistan six years ago, and he was still a strong, robust older man. That’s not the case anymore. His right eye apparently has developed a disability… he’s struggling. He’s been in isolation for three years,” Chappell said.
The two cricket legends developed a warm friendship after playing against each other during their international careers.
Khan has been incarcerated since 2023 following his arrest in connection with corruption charges, which he has strongly and repeatedly denied.
Speaking further about Khan’s health and physical condition, the Australian batsman expressed concerns about his physical and mental well-being.
“At the moment, he’s not getting any better. From a physical point of view, it’s hard to get information, but I saw a video clip the other day, I’m assuming of his latest trip to hospital, where he was put into a wheelchair to get him from wherever he was to wherever he was going,” Chappell added.
Chappell was among 22 former cricketers who recently wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing concerns about Khan’s deteriorating health and seeking humane treatment, an independent medical assessment and proper medical care for the jailed former prime minister.
Former Indian cricket captains Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar were also among those who signed the letter.
“He didn’t look well at all. He didn’t look robust. He didn’t look like he could really get around very much”, added Chappell.
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Living in the dark
Chappell also talked about how jail isolation and not being allowed to speak to his children, wife, or sisters is affecting Khan’s mental health.
He also added that doing nothing, not being allowed to read books, and living in the dark is taking a toll on Khan’s well-being.
“I don’t think he is allowed to read books. He’s pretty much just got to sit there by himself. And he’s in the dark most of the time. So that’s not good for your mental health. And as your mental health deteriorates, your physical health is going to deteriorate,” Chappell added.
Imran Khan served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022. Khan is also regarded as one of the finest all-round cricketers in the history of Pakistan’s cricket. He famously captained Pakistan to its first-ever World Cup triumph in 1992, leading the team to victory.
“Imran is as strong physically and mentally as anyone that I played cricket against. But I don’t know how you deal with absolute isolation for three years,” Chappell said.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)