Wasim Akram has become the latest high-profile cricketing figure to publicly voice concern over the health of his former Pakistan captain and close friend Imran Khan, insisting that his legal status should not come in the way of ensuring he receives proper medical care.Imran, 73, has been in jail since 2022 after being convicted in multiple corruption cases, charges he denies. Akram, however, said that while legal proceedings must take their course, there should be no compromise when it comes to his former mentor’s health.“I haven’t spoken to him for three years. It’s so unfortunate, politically, what’s happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that,” Akram told The Athletic.The former Pakistan fast bowler also made an emotional plea while stressing that his comments were rooted in his relationship with Imran as a friend, rather than politics.“I’m speaking from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don’t know what’s happening, the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I’m worried. I miss him a lot,” he said.
‘Here in Pakistan? I’m not so sure’
Akram also questioned whether enough was being done inside Pakistan to address concerns surrounding Imran’s health, pointing to international efforts seeking better conditions for the former Pakistan captain.“There’s a movement in England and elsewhere (to improve Imran’s conditions) but here (in Pakistan)? I’m not so sure,” said Wasim.The comments come amid growing international concern over Imran’s reported health and access to medical care. Last week, West Indies great Brian Lara joined a growing list of former international captains who have called for proper treatment and humane conditions for the 1992 World Cup-winning captain.As many as 22 international captains have written an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking proper medical care and humane treatment for Imran. Australian captain Pat Cummins has also echoed the concerns, while Lara described Imran as “a legend of our game” who deserved “basic humanity”.Former Pakistan players have also spoken out. Javed Miandad made an emotional plea for Imran’s release and urged the differences between the former prime minister and the government to be resolved, with Moin Khan and Ramiz Raja subsequently expressing concerns over his wellbeing.Akram also referred to an interview given by Imran’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, during the ongoing England-Pakistan series, in which they expressed fears for their father’s safety in prison.“There was a bit of uproar here [in Pakistan] after that. I then read that the Pakistani government came up with how many visits Imran has had, with all the numbers included, with all the phone calls he has had. But, you know, it’s difficult to believe, and hard to know what to believe right now,” Akram said.His comments come after a court ordered Imran to be admitted to a specific hospital and allowed access to his personal physician and sister.
