Greg Chappell leads seven Australia captains in Imran Khan appeal as Michael Holding slams Pakistan

Cricket's elder statesmen rally behind Imran Khan

Greg Chappell is spearheading an appeal by seven former Australia captains to the country's foreign minister, raising 'humanitarian' concerns over the situation of former Pakistan prime minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.

The intervention by such a weighty group of Australian cricket figures underlines how far concern over Khan's treatment has spread through the game's old guard.

West Indies fast-bowling great Michael Holding has gone further still, delivering a withering public verdict on Pakistan's handling of the man who famously led them to World Cup glory.

"You don't treat human beings that way," Holding said.

With figures of Chappell's and Holding's stature now speaking out, the pressure on cricket's power brokers over the issue is only likely to grow.