Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed concern over the treatment of former Pakistan captain and 1992 World Cup winner Imran Khan, who has been in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023. With reports raising concerns about Khan’s health and living conditions, Shastri said the legendary cricketer deserves better treatment on humanitarian grounds.
Imran Khan has remained in jail for over three years, with reports claiming that his health has deteriorated during his time in custody. Concerns have also been raised about his access to medical treatment and other basic facilities. It was recently reported that Khan had lost around 85 per cent of the vision in his right eye after allegedly not receiving timely medical attention.
The situation has also prompted several former international cricketers and captains to call for better treatment of the former Pakistan captain. Twenty-one former international captains reportedly wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging authorities to ensure Khan receives appropriate treatment. Seven former Australian cricketers also approached their government, seeking intervention over the matter.
Shastri has now joined those expressing concern and said he was shocked by the way the former Pakistan captain was being treated. The former India coach stressed that his comments were not political and came purely from a humanitarian perspective.
“I’m not a politician. But just to see the way he’s being treated today is shocking. You know, no one treats a human being like that. On humanitarian grounds, I don’t think he deserves what he’s getting. So I don’t speak just for myself. I think there’ll be a lot of cricketers around the globe who will be echoing the same sentiments,” Shastri told Republic World.
Shastri also recalled Khan’s impact as a cricketer and captain. The former Pakistan all-rounder led his team to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 1992, famously guiding a relatively young side to glory at the age of 39.
“I just hope he’s well and his health is good. Because what he gave to the game was something special. And my memories of him are just being an outstanding leader. You know, just a leader of men. The ability to motivate youngsters and then take them through. You said he came close at the age of 40, captain of the side, and he won the World Cup with a pretty young team,” he added.
Ravi Shastri hopes Imran Khan gets out of jail
When asked whether he believed Imran Khan would eventually be released, Shastri admitted that he did not understand the political situation surrounding the former Pakistan Prime Minister. However, he hoped Khan would be released and treated better.
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“Hopefully. Hope he comes out and is treated better. He’s been there for a long time. You could be out somewhere else, in the same position, because I don’t understand the politics. But to sit in a cell there, he doesn’t deserve it because he’s the most recognised Pakistani face globally. Whether you like it or not, that’s my view.”
Shastri also spoke highly of Khan’s achievements on the cricket field. Having faced him during the India-Pakistan rivalry, Shastri said the competition between the two sides was built on mutual respect and described Khan as an exceptional all-rounder and leader.
‘Great cricketer’
Shastri believes Khan’s contribution to cricket goes far beyond his World Cup triumph. He called the former Pakistan captain one of the finest cricketers of his generation and highlighted his ability to inspire his teammates.
“This man you’re seeing there with me was an unbelievable cricketer. I mean, a great cricketer is an understatement. The rivalry was out of respect. It was India-Pakistan at the time, with both teams playing a lot of cricket. So that rivalry was there. But this fellow as a cricketer was something else. He was a leader. Leader of men. Magnificent all-round cricketer,” he added.
