New Delhi, August 29: Former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad has publicly expressed his support for former captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
During a recent episode of the podcast ‘Narratives’, Miandad emphasized the respect Khan commands globally and the contributions he has made to Pakistan. He stated, “Imran is highly respected around the world. He has given so much to Pakistan. We need to reflect on this. We should let go of past bitterness. He is a former Prime Minister. God forbid, if something happens to him in jail, the entire nation will mourn. At that time, everyone will question why they treated Imran this way. Just release him; what difference does it make to you? If this could happen to any of us, we would all be distressed. If my brother were in this situation, I would obviously be upset.”
Miandad shared that he constantly thinks about Khan and believes he does not deserve the treatment he is receiving. Tearfully, he added, “I pray that a resolution is found for what is happening to him because he does not deserve this. What is being done to him is wrong. It is unnecessary; he has a family too. I often think about what he might be doing or thinking in jail. We were very close. We lived together and cared for each other. We took Pakistan to new heights. This saddens me greatly.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, both Khan and Miandad were pivotal players for the Pakistan cricket team, winning their sole ODI World Cup title in 1992. They also played county cricket together.
Miandad dismissed any notions of a bitter rivalry with Khan, stating, “There was no enmity between us. We never had a fight. I never complained that Imran wronged me. My career has been very successful, for which I am grateful. Imran and I played county cricket together; we spent more than half the year together, either in county cricket or with the Pakistan team. We had a great time together.”
Recently, Australian cricket legends Greg Chappell and current Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins have also expressed their support for Khan, raising concerns about the treatment he is receiving in jail. A petition sent by Chappell to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif included signatures from Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Dilip Vengsarkar. It calls for Pakistani authorities to allow Khan to meet with his family and undergo an independent medical examination.
The petitioners have outlined three main demands: a comprehensive health check by a medical board established under Supreme Court directives (including Khan’s personal doctor), the right for family visits every week without interruption, and the immediate implementation of any recommended medical treatment.
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