'Spineless’, 'What a coward': Fans furious with Ramiz Raja over comments on ex-Pakistan captain Imran Khan's condition in jail

'Spineless’, 'What a coward': Fans furious with Ramiz Raja over comments on ex-Pakistan captain Imran Khan's condition in jail originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Ramiz Raja said Imran Khan is in isolation but holding up in prison.
• His comments followed an appeal by 22 former international captains over Khan's medical care.
• Fans accused Raja of downplaying the situation facing the former Pakistan captain.

Ramiz Raja continues to face severe backlash due to his comments

Ramiz Raja has found himself at the centre of an angry backlash after speaking publicly about Imran Khan's circumstances in prison, with supporters of the former Pakistan captain accusing him of soft-pedalling the reality. The context matters here.

Raja's remarks arrived a day after 22 former international captains wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for Khan, an appeal reportedly signed by Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and others.

Khan, who captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup and later served as prime minister, has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023. Ironically, Raja himself was appointed PCB chairman by Khan in September 2021.

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What Ramiz Raja said about Imran Khan's condition in jail

Appearing on The Overlap Cricket's Stick to Cricket show, Raja was asked directly about Khan's situation by former England coach David Lloyd.

David Lloyd - What are Imran Khan’s circumstances right now?

Ramiz Raja said, "He is in isolation. He’s got a lot of fans, but it’s just that the poor guy has been behind bars for three years now. It’s been a tough one for him."

Alastair Cook - Is he okay physically?

Ramiz… pic.twitter.com/9rghmzlLhC

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) August 25, 2026

"He is in isolation. He's got a lot of fans, but it's just that the poor guy has been behind bars for three years now. It's been a tough one for him," Raja replied.

Alastair Cook then pressed him on whether Khan was physically well. Raja pointed to a recent medical issue that he suggested had been resolved.

"Just a week back, there was some problem with his eye that seems to have been sorted, but otherwise, he's holding up. I mean, he's got a solid temperament, as we all know," he said.

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Fans react furiously to Ramiz Raja's remarks

It was the phrase "he's holding up" that drew the sharpest criticism, with many supporters arguing the assessment glossed over what they believe Khan is enduring. While Khan's exact condition hasn't been public, Raja's comment took the brunt of the fans. 

One user contrasted Raja's tone with the intervention of the overseas captains, writing, "Foreign cricketers talked more about Imran Khan's health instead of these spineless Pakistani cricketers."

Foreign cricketers talked more about imran khan's health instead of these spineless Pakistani cricketers.

— (@hey_hamidd) August 25, 2026

Another was blunter still, posting simply, "What a coward!" For someone who can call himself a World Cup winner thanks to Khan's captaincy, Raja's comments have been incredibly callous.

What a coward!

— (@Hassan510321) August 25, 2026

A recurring theme was the suggestion that professional interests had shaped Raja's answer. One supporter wrote, "What Ramiz told isn't even 10% of the circumstances Imran Khan is actually going through, but it's the money and positions that make you so compromised that you can't speak the truth, and it's a real shame that foreigners seem more concerned about IK than his fellow cricketers."

What Ramiz told isn't even 10% of the circumstances Imran Khan is actually going through, but it's the money and positions that make you so compromised that you can't speak the truth, and It's a real shame that foreigners seem more concerned about IK than his fellow cricketers.

— (@Ijussdontcare) August 25, 2026

Another user made a similar point, writing, "This guy has proved himself to be so weak. I am sure he has made enough to live a comfortable life, but he is too scared to utter a word for IK." They aren't alone in believing that Raja is simply saying how much he is allowed to say.

This guy has proved himself to be so weak. I am sure he has made enough to live comfortable life but he is too scared to utter a word for IK

— (@moin_shah1) August 25, 2026

However, the sense of betrayal ran through many of the responses, given Khan's role in elevating a generation of Pakistani cricketers. One fan wrote, "All of these people owe everything to Imran Khan. Literally everything. This is an epic betrayal."

all of these people owe everything to Imran Khan Literally everything This is an epic betrayal

— (@Baybers4ew1) August 25, 2026

The most detailed criticism came from a user who argued Raja would have been better off declining to answer altogether. "If you are spineless, then say 'I have no comments', which is fine since not everyone can risk everything. But to say he is holding up when he has been blinded in one eye through malice and is being tortured for months is truly criminal," they wrote. Those allegations have not been independently confirmed.

@iramizraja if you are spineless then say I have no comments which is fine since not everyone can risk everything. But to say he is holding up when he has been blinded in one eye through malice and is being tortured for months is truly criminal!!

— (@yasirasmie) August 25, 2026

Most of these comments, however, remain unverified since neither the Pakistani government nor the PCB has made any official statements regarding Khan.

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Why Raja was in an impossible position either way

The anger directed at Raja is understandable from those who feel Khan's situation demands a stronger voice from within Pakistani cricket, particularly given how many careers he shaped. Raja himself played under Khan and owed his PCB appointment to him, which is precisely why supporters expected more.

Set against that is the reality of speaking about a politically charged case from inside the country. The 22 overseas captains who wrote to Shehbaz Sharif carry no domestic exposure, whereas anyone still working in Pakistani cricket weighs their words against consequences that do not apply to Atherton or Gavaskar.

Whether that amounts to caution or capitulation is a judgement each observer will make for themselves. What the episode does illustrate is how difficult it has become for Pakistani cricketers to discuss their most celebrated captain at all, and the volume of the response to a few measured sentences suggests the frustration runs far deeper than one podcast appearance.

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