Former England captain Michael Atherton has lifted the lid on why he joined 21 former international cricketers in a fresh appeal to Pakistani authorities to ensure imprisoned former captain and prime minister Imran Khan receives proper medical treatment — and warned that the state has tried to erase him from public life.

Imran, who led Pakistan to their only men's ODI World Cup title in 1992 before moving into politics and becoming prime minister, has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases he has vehemently denied. Concerns over his health have mounted in recent months, with reports earlier this year claiming he had lost sight in one eye.

A humanitarian appeal

Speaking on a Sky Sports cricket podcast alongside former England captain Nasser Hussain, Atherton said the appeal was about far more than medical treatment. He voiced concern over what he described as an attempt to wipe the former Pakistan leader from public memory.

"Nass [Nasser Hussain] and I were among 21 former captains who sent a second letter yesterday, a humanitarian appeal for Imran Khan to get the requisite level of treatment. But I suppose the basic theme was the way the state has tried to airbrush Imran almost out of existence, which is increasingly difficult to do in a social media age."

The appeal came after Imran was reportedly taken to hospital on the order of the country's top court but was allegedly not properly examined. It is the second such letter from the group of former international players.

Indian cricketing greats sign on

The signatories included several prominent former players from across the cricketing world, with former India captains Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar among those attached to the appeal. Their involvement was especially notable given the political tensions between India and Pakistan and Imran's own history as prime minister.

Kapil, who led India to World Cup glory in 1983, explained why he felt compelled to back his former cricketing rival and friend, while acknowledging the difficult position Pakistani players would face in speaking publicly.

"I don't blame Pakistani cricketers for not speaking up. They have to live there. But I would like to support my friend, whom we admired and played with."

The former India captain stressed the appeal was not about intervening in Pakistan's legal process but about securing basic care and dignity for a prisoner.

"We don't know the law of the country, that's fine. But humility and simple facilities should be given to a prisoner, whoever he may be. And he was a former prime minister of the country and a top cricketer. We want him to get the best treatment, [that's] what we are asking for. We are not asking for anything else, we are not asking for any replies, we are requesting."

Regarded as one of the finest all-rounders the game has ever seen, Imran's imprisonment continues to draw international attention, while concerns over his health have added another dimension to the controversy surrounding his detention.