**Former New Zealand Cricketer Chris Cairns Backs Calls for Medical Treatment for Imran Khan**
*Wellington, New Zealand – 1 September 2026* – Former New Zealand all‑rounder Chris Cairns used an Instagram story on 31 August to voice support for former Pakistan captain and ex‑prime minister Imran Khan, echoing a broader appeal from the international cricket community for Khan’s right to appropriate medical care.
In the post, Cairns wrote: “Lending my support to Imran Khan who, like anyone, should be afforded basic human rights… great to see the global cricket community supporting one of its own and making this a public issue.” The statement aligns with a series of recent actions by former players urging Pakistani authorities to ensure Khan receives the medical attention he requires.
**Background on Khan’s Health Situation**
Over the past several weeks, Imran Khan’s health has been the subject of intense scrutiny in Pakistan. His sons have publicly demanded that he be provided with proper medical care. In late August, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered that Khan be transferred to Islamabad’s Shifa Hospital for treatment. However, according to reports, Khan was taken instead to the state‑run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and subsequently returned to prison shortly after a medical check‑up. Khan’s sisters and sons have alleged that the court order was not fully implemented and have called for him to be allowed to see his personal physician.
**Letter from Former International Captains**
In a related development, twenty‑two former international cricket captains addressed a letter to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reiterating their request for Khan’s medical treatment. The letter, signed by notable figures such as Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Steve Waugh and John Wright, follows an earlier appeal signed by fourteen captains in February that received no response from the Pakistani government.
**Support from Current Australian Captain**
Australian captain Pat Cummins also expressed solidarity with the former captains’ appeal. Cummins reposted a video featuring former Australian captain Greg Chappell discussing Khan’s situation and added his own comment: “Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court‑ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves.”
**International Reaction**
The statements from Cairns, Cummins and the group of former captains highlight a growing international concern that Imran Khan’s health and legal circumstances be addressed in accordance with basic human‑rights standards. Pakistani officials have not yet publicly responded to the latest appeals.
*Reporting by New Zealand Star, sourced from ANI.*
Article and image source: newzealandstar.com
