'I feel sad for him, he should get the right treatment' - Kapil Dev on former Pakistan PM's deteriorating health

Former India captain Kapil Dev has expressed concern over the health of ex-Pakistan skipper and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying the cricketing legend deserves proper medical treatment irrespective of the legal proceedings against him.

Imran, who has been lodged in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s Adiala Jail since August 2023, has reportedly suffered a significant deterioration in his health. According to reports, the 1992 World Cup-winning captain has lost nearly 85 per cent of the vision in his right eye due to alleged medical negligence while in custody.

Speaking on the situation, Kapil said he was saddened by the way the former Pakistan Prime Minister is being treated and stressed that his contribution to the country should not be forgotten. Kapil made it clear that he was not commenting on the legal aspects of the case but believed Imran should be treated with dignity.

"I feel very sad for Imran Khan. I don't know what he did, whether right or wrong. I only want to say that he was a big player, he might have made mistakes but this is no way to treat someone who was their former Prime Minister, that was my plea throughout,” Kapil Dev said to Aaj Tak.

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain further highlighted Imran's stature both as a cricketer and as Pakistan's former head of government.

"I don't know the law, I don't know what action is being taken against him. But what I know is that he has been a very big cricketer for his country and he was the Prime Minister, so some ethics have to be there but that is not the case and that is why I feel bad," he continued.

While Imran Khan rots in Pakistani jail, Indian legend Kapil Dev gets emotional: Imran Ke Haalat Ko Dekh Kar Dukh Hota hai. No way for Pakistan to treat their former Prime Minister.Watch this. Full podcast drops Sunday 7pm on @sports_tak @therealkapildev @ImranKhanPTI…

Kapil also acknowledged the effort Imran put into entering politics, stating that he believed the former all-rounder genuinely wanted to serve his country.

"Imran Khan worked very hard for 20 years to become the Prime Minister. He had something in him that he wanted to give back to the country."

Earlier this year, Kapil was among 14 former international captains who jointly signed an open letter titled Appeal by Former International Cricket Captains, urging the Pakistan government to ensure fair treatment for Imran.

The letter, signed by cricketing greats including Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh, and John Wright, called for transparent legal proceedings, proper medical care, and dignified treatment for the 73-year-old.

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"We were just saying that treatment should be given properly. We don't know what is the law in that country but we only call for the right treatment for him," Reiterating the group's stand, Kapil said.

Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case in 2025 and has remained incarcerated since August 2023.