Cricket legends express concern for Imran Khan’s health

Cricket icons, including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shahid Afridi, have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of former captain and prime minister Imran Khan.

The former prime minister has lost 85% of the sight in his right eye, his lawyer told the Supreme Court on Thursday, an ordeal that adds to legal and political challenges the leader is already battling.

The 73-year-old politico has been in jail since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges, one of dozens of cases he says were made up in order to keep him out of politics.

“He has been left with only 15% vision in his right eye,” Imran’s lawyer Salman Safdar said in report, quoting the former cricket star turned politician.

The fact-finding report cited Imran as saying he had been complaining about “experiencing persistent blurred and hazy vision” since October 2025, but that jail authorities took no action.

Safdar submitted his report after a two-hour meeting with Imran ordered by the Supreme Court, which set a February 16 deadline for authorities to allow Khan access to his personal physician for the report on his condition.

Imran was taken to hospital this month for a 20-minute eye treatment procedure, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said previously.

Responding to a query during an interview, Shahid said health and treatment was Imran’s fundamental right and he should receive medical treatment at a facility of his and his family’s choosing.

In a post on his X account, Waqar requested the relevant authorities to provide Imran appropriate treatment in a timely manner. “Get well soon skipper. Wishing him a complete and speedy recovery,” he wrote.

“Putting politics aside, our national hero who gave us our greatest glory on the sporting field, cancer hospital helped so many, including my own mother, is suffering a health emergency and requires urgent treatment.”

Wasim said it was heartbreaking to hear his skipper Imran going through health issues. “I sincerely hope the authorities take this seriously and ensure he receives the best possible medical care,” he said, wishing him strength, a speedy recovery, and a full return to good health.

Praying for ex-Pakistan captain’s recovery, Mohammad Hafeez said it was disturbing to hear about the news of health of “undisputed legend of the game”.

“May Allah bless him fully recovery,” he added.

Shoaib Akhtar said he was deeply saddened to hear the news of Imran losing vision in his eye. “I hope he gets the best treatment and I’m wishing him a speedy recovery,” he said, informing his followers that for the last three months, he had been raising funds in USA for Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.