Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has said he was unaware of the reported threat by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to suspend the England tour over a Sky Sports interview involving the sons of former captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sarfaraz maintained that he and his players were focused solely on the second Test at Lord's.
The dispute emerged during the lunch break on the first day when Sky Sports aired an interview with Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, who spoke about their father's health and conditions in prison. Speaking after the second day's play, Sarfaraz said neither he nor the Pakistan team knew about 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.
When asked specifically about the interview, he added, “We don't know about the interview.”
Sarfaraz was also asked whether Pakistan had considered refusing to return for the afternoon session on Day 1. “All are OK. We were having lunch at that time,” he replied.
The PCB had reportedly threatened to call off the Lord's Test and withdraw from the rest of the three-match series if the interview was broadcast. Sky Sports initially postponed the segment after receiving a complaint but eventually went ahead with the pre-recorded interview.
PCB-SKY SPORTS DISPUTE OVERSHADOWS LORD'S TEST
The interview was conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton and featured Imran Khan's sons discussing their concerns over their father's health, security and treatment. They also questioned the UK government's response to his situation.
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases that he denies. Before entering politics, he represented Pakistan internationally for 21 years and led the country to its only men's ODI World Cup title in 1992. He served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
The political sensitivity of the dispute was heightened by the fact that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also holds the position of Pakistan's interior minister.
As the disagreement unfolded, the England and Wales Cricket Board sought guidance from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In Pakistan, the interview was not aired by state broadcaster PTV, despite the channel using Sky's match feed for its coverage.
Despite the reported threat, Pakistan returned to the field after lunch on the opening day and the Test continued normally. There was also reportedly no fresh complaint from Sky Sports on Friday.
The incident brought back memories of Pakistan's infamous Test at The Oval in 2006, when the team refused to resume play after tea following an umpiring decision linked to alleged ball tampering. That remains the only Test in history to have been forfeited, with Pakistan declared to have conceded the match.
There was no repeat at Lord's. England ended Day 2 on 81/3 in their second innings, extending their lead to 261 runs as the Test proceeded despite the off-field controversy.
CRICKET WORLD SUPPORTS IMRAN KHAN
Concern over Imran Khan's health and treatment has also attracted support from several prominent figures in cricket. 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, appropriate medical care and continued family access.
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 concerns surrounding his eyesight and overall health.
Greg Chappell later spoke about the impact of Khan's prolonged isolation, while Australia captain Pat Cummins also backed calls for him to receive proper medical treatment.
“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 expanded the issue beyond Pakistan's political sphere, turning it into a wider cricketing concern over Khan's health and access to his family.
England are scheduled to travel to Pakistan in October for a one-day tri-series involving Sri Lanka. It will be their fourth separate tour of Pakistan in four years, following a 17-year period in which security concerns prevented regular visits.
