'I miss him a lot' - Wasim Akram voices concern over Imran Khan's health

Wasim Akram has opened up about his feelings towards Imran Khan, describing the former Pakistan captain as his mentor and expressing how much he misses him. In a recent interview, Akram reflected on their long association and the current situation surrounding Khan, whose health has become a subject of widespread concern in the cricketing world over the past fortnight.

Akram spoke candidly about the bond they shared and the distance that has grown between them. The legendary fast bowler stated that he and Khan were regularly in touch even after retirement, and he used to spend time with him. However, this connection has been interrupted, and Akram's recent comments highlight both his personal affection and his worry about Khan's current circumstances.

"He's my friend, I miss him a lot. I haven't spoken to him for three years. It's so unfortunate, politically, what's happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that," said Akram as quoted by Cricinfo.

Akram emphasised the importance of safeguarding Khan's health regardless of his legal status. The fast bowler stressed that he was speaking from the heart as someone genuinely worried about Khan as a person, independent of any conviction or incarceration. He noted that while the government claims Khan's health is apparently fine, his own concern remains undiminished, and he continues to miss his former mentor greatly.

International support for Khan's wellbeing has grown significantly. Twenty-two cricket captains sent an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif requesting that Khan's fundamental dignity and essential needs be upheld, including the ability to see his personal physician and meet with his family members. Australian captain Pat Cummins was among the first current captains to voice similar concerns, while former West Indies batsman Brian Lara described Khan as a legend of the game earlier in the week.

A court order has mandated that Khan be admitted to a specific hospital and permitted visits from his personal physician and sister. Khan has been incarcerated since 2022 following convictions in multiple corruption cases, though he maintains his innocence regarding all charges. Akram's public expression of concern adds to the mounting pressure from the international cricket community for Khan's health and dignity to be protected.

Akram acknowledged the disparity in support between different regions. He observed that while a movement exists in England and elsewhere to improve Khan's conditions, he was uncertain about the strength of such efforts within Pakistan itself. This observation highlights the international dimension of the concern for Khan's wellbeing and the varying levels of public advocacy across different countries.

"Even after we retired, him and me, we were regularly in touch. I used to go and spend time with him. I miss talking to him. I miss him in general as a friend, politics apart. There's a movement in England and elsewhere [to improve Imran's conditions] but here [in Pakistan]? I'm not so sure. I'm speaking from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don't know what's happening, the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I'm worried. I miss him a lot," said Wasim.