Former Pakistan prime minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan has been imprisoned for three years. Convicted in multiple cases, the former cricketer now has another cricketing legend speaking out for his release: Javed Miandad.
Twenty-one former international cricket captains recently sent a joint letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for Imran Khan’s medical care and basic facilities to be ensured. Australia’s current Test captain, Pat Cummins, has also expressed support for that letter, sent on August 24.
Following on from that, Javed Miandad spoke up for Imran Khan in an interview with the Pakistani journalists’ platform Narratives.
He said: “Someone explain it to me — is he [Imran Khan] going to eat Pakistan alive? We are all Pakistanis. We should sit together and resolve the issue. This matter is being needlessly dragged out, and that isn’t good for the country.”
The 69-year-old former batter also dismissed longstanding rumors about his relationship with Imran. He said: “There was never any enmity or feud between us.”
Recalling memories of playing county cricket together in England, Miandad said: “We played county cricket together and were together for nearly six months. Later, in the Pakistan team, I also gave him the captaincy. Our relationship was excellent. We spent a wonderful period of Pakistan cricket together.”
The former captain added: “He is someone’s son. I often think about what a difficult situation he must be going through. We were very close. We played together, spent time together, and understood each other well. We worked together to move Pakistan cricket forward.”
Although Miandad has criticized Imran Khan in the past over his political leadership and his handling of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), he believes Imran’s contributions to the country should not be forgotten.
Miandad said: “Whatever is wrong is certainly wrong. But he is a national hero. I want this problem resolved. I also have an appeal to the Pakistan government. Perhaps I’m not in a position to say everything, but I can say this much — he is my longtime colleague. We played together, spent time together. I know him very well. He is an honest man.”
At one point in the interview, Miandad grew emotional. With tears in his eyes, he said: “I have only one prayer — that truth and justice prevail. What more can I say? You’ve brought tears to my eyes. I’m speaking from the depths of my heart.”
He added: “If there is any way I can help, I certainly will. We are all Pakistanis, and we have all carried our country’s flag. There can be differences of opinion, but they should end for the sake of the country. When it comes to patriotism, Imran is second to none. We fought on the field for Pakistan. What has happened, has happened. People can make mistakes. Now is the time to close this chapter.”