Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has denied having any knowledge of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s reported threat to halt the England tour over a Sky Sports interview featuring the sons of former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Sarfaraz said his focus remained entirely on the ongoing second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s, even as the off-field dispute briefly raised questions about whether the visitors would continue with the match.
The controversy emerged during the lunch break on the opening day after Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan. The two spoke about their father’s health and treatment in prison.
Speaking after the second day’s play, Sarfaraz said neither he nor the Pakistan players were aware of the reported disagreement between the PCB and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
“I don’t know anything. I’m just focusing on the match,” Sarfaraz said.
Asked about the interview, he added, “We don’t know about the interview.”
When questioned about reports that Pakistan could have refused to return to the field for the afternoon session on Day 1, Sarfaraz replied, “All are OK. We were having lunch at that time.”
PCB-SKY SPORTS DISPUTE OVERSHADOWS LORD'S TEST
The Pakistan Cricket Board is understood to have raised the possibility of cancelling the Lord’s Test and abandoning the remainder of the three-match series if Sky Sports broadcast the interview.
Sky Sports initially delayed the segment after receiving a complaint but eventually aired the pre-recorded conversation. Despite the reported threat, Pakistan returned to the field after lunch and the Test continued without interruption.
The interview was conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton and featured Kasim and Sulaiman discussing concerns over their father’s health, security and treatment. They also criticised the response of the UK government to Imran Khan’s situation.
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases that he denies. Before entering politics, he had a 21-year international cricket career and captained Pakistan to their only men’s ODI World Cup title in 1992. He served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
The dispute also carried a political dimension because PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is simultaneously Pakistan’s interior minister.
The England and Wales Cricket Board sought advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as the disagreement unfolded. In Pakistan, the interview was not aired by public broadcaster PTV, which uses Sky’s match pictures for its coverage.
No interruption to the Test followed the broadcast, and no further complaint from Sky Sports was understood to have been raised on Friday.
NO REPEAT OF PAKISTAN'S 2006 OVAL PROTEST
The episode inevitably brought back memories of Pakistan’s controversial Test at The Oval in 2006.
During that match, Pakistan refused to take the field after tea following an umpiring decision linked to allegations of ball tampering. The match remains the only Test in history to have been forfeited, with Pakistan adjudged to have conceded the game.
There was no repeat of that incident at Lord’s.
On the field, England remained firmly in control after two days. England ended Day 2 at 81/3 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 261 runs and leaving Pakistan facing another difficult Test.
CRICKET WORLD SHOWS SUPPORT FOR IMRAN KHAN
The controversy surrounding the Sky Sports interview comes amid growing concern among prominent cricket figures about Imran Khan’s health and treatment.
A group of 21 former international captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Clive Lloyd, recently appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for humane treatment, proper medical care and uninterrupted family visits for Khan.
The appeal followed a Pakistan Supreme Court order for Khan to undergo a medical assessment and be moved to hospital. He has remained in custody since August 2023, with particular concern surrounding his eyesight and overall health.
Greg Chappell later spoke about the impact of Khan’s prolonged isolation, while Australia captain Pat Cummins also expressed support for calls for appropriate medical care and continued family access.
“Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves,” Cummins said.
The involvement of former captains and current international players has given the issue a wider sporting dimension, with concerns over Khan’s treatment extending beyond his family and political supporters.
PAKISTAN'S ENGLAND TOUR CONTINUES
Despite the reported PCB threat and the controversy surrounding the interview, Pakistan have continued their England tour.
The Lord’s Test remains part of the three-match series, with Pakistan already trailing 1-0 after losing the opening Test by an innings and 53 runs.
England are also scheduled to return to Pakistan in October for a one-day tri-series involving Sri Lanka. The tour would mark another visit by the English side after a 17-year gap between England tours of Pakistan caused by security concerns.
For now, Sarfaraz has made it clear that the Pakistan dressing room is focused on cricket, despite the political and administrative controversy surrounding the team’s visit to England.
