Kapil, who shared the field with Imran during an era when the two were among the leading all-rounders in world cricket, said he understood why Pakistani players may be reluctant to speak publicly about the matter but felt those outside the country could voice their concern.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think I don't blame them because they have to live there in Pakistan, the Pakistani cricketers. But for us, we are looking from outside. Yes, I like to support our friend, whom we played with and admired for his cricketing skill. And we keep saying again and again, we don't know the law of the country; that's fine. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut humanity and simply giving the facilities to a prisoner, whoever may be, and he was a former prime minister of the country and a top cricketer of the world, we want him to get the best treatment. What else are we asking for? We are not asking for anything else,\u201d Kapil told reporters at the launch of the \u2018Race to DP World India Championship\u2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The remarks came a day after the group of former international cricketers appealed to Sharif over Khan\u2019s treatment. It was the second collective appeal of its kind in six months, following a February letter in which 14 former captains had raised concerns about the former Pakistan skipper\u2019s health.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khan\u2019s family had previously alleged that he had suffered a serious deterioration in his eyesight, claiming that he had lost almost all vision in one eye because of alleged medical negligence. The earlier appeal had sought medical attention for Khan and called for the restoration of family visits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kapil\u2019s comments also highlighted the unusual relationship shared by the two former captains, who were part of a generation that included New Zealand\u2019s Richard Hadlee and England\u2019s Ian Botham as the four outstanding all-rounders of the era.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Their rivalry on the cricket field was accompanied by a friendship away from it, at a time when players from India and Pakistan regularly interacted, exchanged banter and maintained close personal ties despite the intense sporting rivalry between the neighbouring countries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That camaraderie has endured over the decades, with Kapil continuing to refer to Khan as a friend while maintaining that his appeal is centred on basic humane treatment rather than the legal proceedings against him.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kapil also acknowledged the limited public response from Pakistan\u2019s cricket fraternity, with Wasim Akram and a handful of others from Khan\u2019s playing generation among those who have spoken out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think I don't blame them because they have to live there in Pakistan, the Pakistan cricketers,\u201d Kapil said, explaining why he did not want to criticise those who had chosen to remain silent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kapil also acknowledged the limited public response from Pakistan\u2019s cricket fraternity, with Wasim Akram and a handful of others from Khan\u2019s playing generation among those who have spoken out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut humanity and simply giving the facilities to a prisoner, whoever may be, and he was a former prime minister of the country and a top cricketer of the world, we want him to get the best treatment. What else are we asking for? We are not asking for anything else,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n