Akram on Imran: 'There can be no compromise on his health'

"He's my friend, I miss him a lot," Akram said. "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."

Over the last fortnight, global concern about Imran's health from the cricketing public has grown. A group of 22 captains wrote an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif asking for Imran's basic dignity and needs to be respected, including access to his personal doctor as well as his family. Australian captain Pat Cummins became the first current captain to echo those sentiments, while Brian Lara said earlier this week Imran was "a legend of our game" who deserved "basic humanity".

Sky Sports, broadcaster of the ongoing series between England and Pakistan, carried an interview during lunch on the first day of the Lord's Test with Imran's two sons Sulaiman and Kasim in which they said they feared for his life in prison. Cricinfo reported that the PCB complained to Sky that led to the telecast being briefly delayed, and also mooted the team not taking the field in protest. Ultimately, the interview went ahead during the interval, and Pakistan took the field as scheduled. Cricinfo reached out to the PCB to establish their position on the matter, but did not receive an official response. Sarfaraz Ahmed, then head coach, and captain Babar Azam said they knew nothing of the matter.

Akram referenced that interview. "There was a bit of uproar here [in Pakistan] after that. I then read that the Pakistani government came up with how many visits Imran has had, with all the numbers included, with all the phone calls he has had. But, you know, it's difficult to believe, and hard to know what to believe right now.

"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."

Akram's relationship with Imran was especially significant during the early part of his career. He has regularly credited Imran as his mentor, who helped develop and shape his game and career. Imran has always maintained that Akram was the most naturally gifted cricketer he had ever come across.

Akram stressed he was speaking about Imran as a friend. The recent upswell of concern has come after a court ordered Imran to be admitted to a specific hospital and for his personal physician and sister to be able to meet him.

"There's a movement in England and elsewhere [to improve Imran's conditions] but here [in Pakistan]? I'm not so sure," said Wasim. "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."