Cricketers react after Imran Khan’s arrest

The legal woes of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan multiplied on Wednesday when an accountability court sent him on an eight-day physical remand to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

Earlier, former Pakistan cricketer Khan appeared in a special court at the capital´s police headquarters Wednesday to answer graft charges, local media reported, a day after his arrest prompted violent nationwide protests.

Khan is arguably the greatest cricket captain Pakistan has seen, with the national side winning the 1992 World Cup under his leadership. 

He played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs for Pakistan over the course of his illustrious career. 

Some local media, citing unnamed sources, said prosecutors had asked for Khan to be remanded in custody for 14 days.

Khan was allowed to consult with his lawyers during the hearing, but court officials were not available to confirm details of proceedings, held behind closed doors.

Here is how cricketers reacted on Twitter

Authorities also ordered schools closed across the country and continued restricting access to social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

Police fought pitched battles with supporters of Khan´s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in cities across the country for hours on Tuesday night.

Local media reported two deaths in those clashes, while police said 945 "law breakers and miscreants" had been arrested in Punjab alone, the country´s most populous province.

Protesters blocked some routes leading to Islamabad around lunchtime Wednesday but there was a huge security presence across the capital, particularly outside the so-called police lines where the special court convened.

— Additional input from AFP