‘Attempt to airbrush Imran Khan out of existence’: Atherton slams Pakistan govt

Former England cricket captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, alongside 19 other ex-skippers, have written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in an appeal for medical treatment for Imran Khan, the former Pakistani captain. Atherton expressed concern over the Pakistan government's attempts to "airbrush Imran almost out of existence," stating that this is becoming increasingly difficult in the era of social media.

This appeal followed a previous letter from 14 former captains who had written to Sharif about improving Khan's health, which came after reports emerged of Khan suffering from an eye condition that left him almost completely blind in one eye, and allegations of medical neglect while in prison. Khan, who led Pakistan to their first World Cup victory in 1992, served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed from office and serving multiple prison sentences.

The 21 former captains emphasized their support for Khan, writing that their concerns are not as politicians but as former colleagues and rivals who share a bond forged on the cricket field. On Monday, former Indian captain Kapil Dev echoed the same sentiments, urging for humanity and basic facilities for Khan, who was a former prime minister and a world-class cricketer.