Javed Miandad breaks down on YouTube, urges release of Imran Khan
Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad broke down during an interview on the Narrative YouTube channel on August 29, 2026, while appealing for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan; the interview was shown during the lunch break of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's.
Imran Khan, 73, has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 following a conviction on corruption charges, and concerns have been raised about his health and treatment in custody. He recently underwent a medical examination in Islamabad before being returned to prison; his party has challenged the manner of that examination after Pakistan's Supreme Court directed he be taken to Shifa International Hospital and allowed access to doctors, including his personal physician.
Speaking to the Narrative channel, Miandad said he knew Imran well from their years playing together and insisted on his integrity, saying: "He is an honest man. He is not someone who engages in corrupt practices, otherwise he would have done a lot of things." He added: "What will happen if you let him out? Will he eat or damage someone? He is also someone's son. I always think about what he must be doing." Miandad questioned why Imran remained in prison and urged those involved to sit together and find a solution.
Miandad addressed their on-field and off-field relationship, rejecting the notion that they had been rivals and acknowledging past disagreements. He said the differences had existed during and after their playing careers, including over Pakistan cricket, but stressed that "We didn't have any rivalry" and that they had played and fought for Pakistan.
Imran's sons Sulaiman and Kasim raised further concerns about his treatment while speaking to former England captain Michael Atherton during Sky Sports' coverage of the second Test at Lord's. Kasim alleged prolonged isolation and attempts on his father's life, stating: "It's very, very clear what they're doing, which are they're just blatantly trying to kill him in there. They just want to keep him in there as long as possible and hopefully just silence him." He added: "The last time he was able to speak to our aunties and anyone else, he said the conditions have severely worsened recently. He has been relating it to other political prisoners who have been killed or who have died in prison. Right now, it is worse than ever, completely isolating him more than 23 hours a day in a cell."
The broadcast of the interviews prompted a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board to Sky Sports; the PCB had objected to the interview before it was aired and, according to reports, even considered keeping Pakistan's players off the field after lunch in protest. Several former international captains — Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Greg Chappell — have called for proper medical treatment for Imran, and Australia captain Pat Cummins has publicly called for him to be treated with dignity.
Imran remains one of Pakistan's best-known cricketers and captained the side to the 1992 men's ODI World Cup title in Australia; in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Pakistan were 24 for 2 when Imran Khan and Javed Miandad added 139 for the third wicket, with Imran scoring 72 and Miandad making 58.
