Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev has turned down the Pakistan Prime Minister designate Imran Khan's invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony to be held on 18 August, citing “personal reasons”.

The former Indian skipper was one of the three Indian cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu who were invited to attend the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief’s swearing-in ceremony.

On Saturday (12 August), Gavaskar has already conveyed his message to Khan regarding his inability to attend the swearing-in ceremony because of his work commitments, as he is currently in England as Commentator for the ongoing Test series, while Sidhu is likely to attend the ceremony in Islamabad.

It is learned that Sidhu said in a statement that he had informed the Union Home Ministry and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's office regarding his intention to attend Khan's oath-taking ceremony.

According to a report in ABP News, Kapil Dev has now confirmed that he would not be attending Imran’s swearing-in ceremony, citing personal reasons.

However, he congratulated Imran on his success and his party's victory over the phone, saying, “Imran has worked hard for 20 years and selflessly worked for his country and today he got the reward for that. I hope he can keep working in the same manner.”

The legendary all-rounder had earlier said that he would attend the ceremony if formally invited, which Imran did but Dev has now refused to attend his oath-taking ceremony in Islamabad.

Kapil Dev however, is also hoping that the relations between India and Pakistan would improve with Khan becoming the prime minister of the neighbouring country.