Kapil Dev does not blame Pakistani cricketers for not speaking up in favour of an ailing Imran Khan, because “they have to live there”. The Indian cricket icon instead chooses to restate his support and seek the best treatment for the fellow former all-rounder.

Dev is one of the 22 ex-international captains who issued a second appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday, expressing concern over Khan’s health. An eye condition has reportedly left Khan almost entirely blind in one eye, amid allegations of medical neglect in prison.

“I would like to support my friend, against whom we played and admired his cricketing skill. We don’t know the law of the country, that’s fine. But humanity and simple facilities should be given to a prisoner, whoever he may be. And he was a former prime minister of the country and a top cricketer of the world,” Dev said on Monday at the launch event of PGTI’s ‘Race to DP World India Championship’.

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“We want he (Khan) should get the best treatment, that’s what we are asking for. We are not asking for anything else, we are not asking for any replies, we are requesting,” Dev added.

Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar are the other Indians to have signed the latest letter to Sharif. Greg Chappell initiated the communication and Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Allan Border, David Gower, Steve Waugh and John Wright are also signatories.

The first letter was sent in February 2026 when 14 former captains, including Gavaskar, had put on record their apprehensions over Imran’s medical treatment. This followed allegations of negligence at Adiala prison, where Khan is being held by the current regime. The signatories described themselves as “former colleagues and rivals who share a bond forged on the cricket field”, adding that the bond “transcends the borders and disputes that too often divide countries”.

Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022 but has been in jail since his removal from office after being convicted in corruption and other cases. The 1992 World Cup-winning Pakistan skipper was recently taken to a government hospital for a medical examination. The examination was conducted in the presence of one of his sisters, and Khan was then returned to Adiala prison. Doctors declared him medically fit, but the 22 cricket greats have questioned the procedure of Khan’s medical checkup.

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“Concerningly, Mr Khan’s hospital stay lasted only a few hours. He was examined by a state-appointed team rather than the board the Court had directed, declared ‘medically fit,’ and returned to Adiala Jail before that board could complete its work. His family and legal team say this falls short of what the court ordered,” the letter stated.

PGTI calendar revised

Dev, the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) president, also unveiled the new Order of Merit trophy for the DP World India Championship. Under the fresh format, the 2026 champion will be decided after the completion of the marquee Indian golf competition on October 18, instead of extending it till December as in previous years. This revised schedule aligns the PGTI calendar more closely with that of the World Tour, so that players don’t miss out on key international tournaments.

The ‘race’ to the Championship features nine tournaments with a combined prize purse of Rs 10 crore. It will culminate with the inaugural Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship — in Greater Noida from September 30 to October 3 — and determine the season’s top 24 performers who will make the Championship cut. Further, the top 60 players on the PGTI Order of Merit will retain their playing rights for the 2027 season.