Ex-India cricket captains’ appeal touches Kol chord

Kolkata: An appeal by former captains has struck an emotional chord with die-hard cricket fans in Kolkata, many of whom are batting for Imran Khan in prison. Across social media, they are expressing anxiety about his health and calling on Pakistan to ensure humane treatment and timely medical care.Cricket greats, including Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Stephen Waugh and Sir Clive Lloyd, urged immediate medical attention, humane detention conditions and fair legal access for the former Pakistan captain and PM. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, though not a signatory, echoed the concern in Kolkata. "They (former skippers) have done the right thing, I hope he gets the right treatment because he has taken Pakistan to the world map being captain of the Pakistan cricket team and then PM. So, he should be looked after," Ganguly said.
For many in the city, recent images of Khan have been devastating. IT entrepreneur Asish Chakraborty, who watched him at Eden Gardens twice in the 1980s, recalled Khan's lethal in-swing and commanding presence. "I was a college student when he came to play at Eden. It breaks my heart to see him now. I don't understand politics, but I feel he should never have ventured there. I strongly urge that he receives proper treatment," Chakraborty said.Actor Rahul Banerjee said he grew up on his father's Eden Gardens stories, including a moment when Khan pulled up his socks during a drinks break. "My father described Imran as a stallion when he ran to bowl. Imran has been one of the few Pakistani cricketers we always admired," Banerjee said. His personal memory of Khan is Pakistan's 1992 World Cup victory. "The death of Khan's mother and the cancer hospital built in her memory became part of our shared folklore. That's why 14 captains who played against him have made such an appeal," he said.Director Srijit Mukherji said he is "heartbroken" by Khan's recent photographs. "Imran Khan has been an integral part of my childhood memories of cricket. He has been such an iconic cricketer. I have fond memories of the 1992 cricket World Cup that was held in Australia and New Zealand. He has led Pakistan to World Cup win. He has been hailed as one of the greatest captains ever to have played cricket. For that and also on humanitarian grounds, I sincerely hope that he is treated fairly and adequate medical treatment is given to him," Mukherji said.Editor Anirban Maity posted his shock and anger on Facebook, amplifying his appeal with #freeimrankhan. He wrote that, as a child, Khan's aura felt intimidating and keeping his poster in the room was almost customary. "Despite the hostility between the two countries, it never diminished my admiration for him. Just as many in Pakistan idolized Sachin Tendulkar, we were equally devoted to Imran," he said. Maity said the latest photographs have left him furious.