‘Convicted or not convicted’: Wasim Akram breaks silence on Imran Khan’s health

Wasim Akram Breaks Silence on Imran Khan's Health: "I Miss Him a Lot"

The cricket world is buzzing with concern once again. Wasim Akram, one of the legends of the game, has publicly voiced his worry about his former Pakistan captain and close friend Imran Khan's health—and honestly, you can feel the emotion in every word.

Imran, 73, has been behind bars since 2022, convicted in multiple corruption cases that he strongly denies. But Akram believes his friend's legal status should never stand in the way of getting proper medical care.

Speaking from the heart

"I haven't spoken to him for three years. It's so unfortunate, politically, what's happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that," Akram told The Athletic.

His message was clear and heartfelt:

"Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don't know what's happening—the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I'm worried. I miss him a lot."

Doubts over care in Pakistan

Akram also questioned whether Pakistan was truly doing enough, pointing to international efforts demanding better conditions for the 1992 World Cup-winning captain.

"There's a movement in England and elsewhere to improve Imran's conditions but here in Pakistan? I'm not so sure."

A chorus of support grows

The concern isn't isolated. Last week, West Indies great Brian Lara joined a growing list of former captains calling for humane treatment. As many as 22 international captains have signed an open letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif, while Australia's Pat Cummins has echoed the worries. Lara called Imran "a legend of our game" who deserves "basic humanity."

Former Pakistan players like Javed Miandad, Moin Khan, and Ramiz Raja have also spoken out. Akram even referenced an emotional interview with Imran's sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, who shared fears for their father's safety in prison.

"There was a bit of uproar here in Pakistan after that. I then read that the Pakistani government came up with how many visits Imran has had... But it's difficult to believe, and hard to know what to believe right now."

A recent court order has directed Imran's admission to a specific hospital, with access to his personal physician and sister—but questions linger.

Stay tuned—this story is still developing.

Source: Times of India