Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has made an emotional appeal for authorities to ensure that former Pakistan captain and ex-prime minister Imran Khan receives what he described as “fair treatment” while in prison.
Akram spoke about his former captain during an appearance on the Old Boys, New Balls podcast, co-hosted by former England skipper Ian Botham. His comments offered a rare personal glimpse into how deeply Imran’s absence has affected those who once played alongside him.
“We would like to thank all the captains that recently signed a petition for Imran,” Akram said during the conversation.
The former left-arm fast bowler then spoke about Imran not simply as a political figure, but as the friend and mentor he knew during their cricketing years.
“I feel for skipper. I miss him as a friend, I miss him as a mentor, we miss him as a leader,” Akram said.
He also pointed to how long it has been since the public has seen Imran in the way they once did, adding, “We haven’t seen his picture for three years.”
For Akram, the connection with Imran goes back decades. He was one of the most important members of the Pakistan side captained by Imran when the team produced one of the greatest moments in the country's cricket history by winning the 1992 World Cup in Australia.
The pair's relationship therefore extends far beyond the cricket field. Imran was the captain who helped shape a young Akram's international career, while Akram became one of the central figures in Pakistan's historic World Cup triumph.
Akram's message to the authorities was: “What we want from this government is to give him the fair treatment, like other politicians had before,” he said.
He ended his comments on a hopeful note, saying he hoped Imran would be released soon and adding that, in his view, the nation remained behind him.
Imran Khan, now 73, has been imprisoned since 2023. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced late last year to 17 years in prison in a corruption case, charges that both have denied.
The issue has also spilled into the cricketing world in recent months. During lunch on the opening day of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s, Sky Sports aired an interview conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton with Imran's sons, Kasim and Sulaiman. During the conversation, the brothers strongly criticised the treatment their father has received from Pakistani authorities.
The broadcast reportedly caused anger within the Pakistan Cricket Board, with some reports claiming the board even considered preventing Pakistan's team from returning to the field after the interval. The proposed action never materialised, however, and the Test continued as planned.
Pakistan ultimately suffered a 194-run defeat in the match, leaving England 2-0 ahead in the three-Test series.
Atherton had already joined a call for Imran earlier in August. He was among 21 former international cricket captains who appealed to Pakistani authorities to treat the former captain humanely and with “basic human consideration.” The group included Indian cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
Read more: Wasim Akram Speaks Out on Pakistani Cricketers Fitness
