Imran Khan should get best treatment, we do not want anything else: Kapil Dev

Legendary India captain Kapil Dev on Monday called for humane treatment of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, saying he should get the best possible medical care and basic facilities.Kapil Dev calls for humane treatment of jailed Imran Khan (AFP Photo)Legendary India captain Kapil Dev on Monday backed calls for humane treatment of jailed former Pakistan prime minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, saying he should be provided the best possible medical care and basic facilities.The former cricketers have written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the second time in six months, urging authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for Imran following directives from the country's Supreme Court.In February, 14 former international captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, had raised concerns over Imran's health amid allegations of medical negligence at Adiala prison, where he is being held.Kapil said he was not familiar with Pakistani laws but stressed that Imran, like any other prisoner, should be provided basic facilities and treated with dignity. "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, president of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India, said on the sidelines of the launch of the 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 prominent Pakistani cricketer has publicly backed Imran or called for adequate medical treatment for the former Pakistan 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 latest 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 and has remained in jail since his removal from office after being convicted in corruption and other cases.'JAISWAL-FERNANDO COLOMBO SPAT'Kapil also weighed in on the heated exchange between India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando during the opening day of the second Test in Colombo on Sunday.The two players were involved in an animated exchange after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal. Both were fined 25 per cent of their match fees on Monday for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct."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," Kapil said.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Aug 24, 2026 19:50 IST