Former India head coach Ravi Shastri breaks his silence over the treatment of former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, saying that he does not deserve what he is going through in jail on humanitarian grounds.
Imran has been in prison in Pakistan since 2023. Several current and former cricketers have raised concerns about his condition and called for better treatment. Shastri has now joined those voices, saying that many cricketers around the world may share the same feelings.
Ravi Shastri Speaks Out On Imran Khan’s Treatment
Speaking to Republic World, Shastri said he was shocked by reports about Imran’s treatment and stressed that he was speaking from a humanitarian, not political, perspective.
ALSO READ: Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down From Captaincy: The Powerhouse Behind Indian Women's Champion Era
“I am not a politician. But seeing how he is being treated today is shocking. No one treats a human being like that. On humanitarian grounds, I don’t think he deserves what he is getting,” Shastri said.
“So I don’t speak just for myself. I think there will be a lot of cricketers around the globe who will be echoing the same sentiment. I just hope he is well and his health is good,” he added.
Imran Khan’s Health Raises Concern
Reports have claimed that Imran’s health has deteriorated during his time in jail. He has reportedly been left with only 15 per cent vision in his right eye.
Shastri said he hoped Imran would receive better treatment and that his health would be given priority.
“Hopefully. Hope he comes out and is treated better. He has been there for a long time. You could be out somewhere else, in the same position, because I don’t understand the politics,” Shastri said.
“But to sit in a cell there, he does not deserve it because he is the most recognised Pakistani face globally. Whether you like it or not, that is my view,” he added.
Shastri Recalls Imran’s Greatness As A Cricketer
Shastri also spoke about his memories of Imran from their playing days, describing the former Pakistan captain as an exceptional cricketer.
“This man you are seeing there with me was an unbelievable cricketer. I mean, a great cricketer is an understatement,” Shastri said.
He recalled the India-Pakistan rivalry from that era, saying that while the matches carried plenty of intensity, there was also respect between the two teams.
“The rivalry was out of respect. It was India-Pakistan at the time, with both teams playing a lot of cricket. So that rivalry was there. But this fellow, as a cricketer, was something else,” Shastri said.
