NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday lent his support to a group of former international skippers who have called for fair treatment and proper medical care for Imran Khan, saying the cricketer turned politician deserves to be “looked after” for his service to Pakistan as both captain and Prime Minister.

Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev are among 14 former captains who have written to express “deep concern” over Khan’s reported declining health and to urge the Pakistan government to provide appropriate medical care and dignified conditions in keeping with international standards.

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"They have done the right thing (on former captains appealing for fair treatment of Imran)," Ganguly told reporters.

"I hope his health recovers and I hope he gets the right treatment because he has taken Pakistan to the world map being captain of the Pakistan cricket team and then Prime Minister of Pakistan, so he should be looked after and I expect him to," he added.

Reports of deteriorating health raise concern

There have been reports suggesting that Khan has lost nearly 85 per cent vision in his right eye due to alleged medical neglect during his incarceration at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

The letter has been signed by several prominent former captains including Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh and John Wright.

"We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket,” the letter stated.

Appeal for humane treatment and legal transparency

Khan, who famously led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup title and later served as the country’s Prime Minister, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case in 2023.

In their appeal, the former captains called for immediate and sustained medical attention from specialists chosen by Khan, humane and dignified conditions of detention including family access, and fair and transparent legal proceedings.

(With PTI Inputs)