Babar Azam denies Pakistan considered walkout protest during Lord's Test

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam has denied reports that Pakistan considered refusing to return to the field after lunch on the opening day of the Lord’s Test against England, amid a dispute over a Sky Sports interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.

Speaking after Pakistan’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s on Sunday, Babar said he had no knowledge of any discussion within the team about staying off the field following the lunch break.

“No, no, no. I haven't heard that thing,” Babar told BBC Test Match Special. When asked again if he was aware of such conversations, the Pakistan captain simply replied, “No.”

Reports had claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had considered the possibility of the team not returning for the afternoon session if Sky Sports went ahead with its planned interview with Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of Imran Khan.

The interview, presented by former England captain Michael Atherton, eventually went ahead during the lunch interval on the first day. The 18-minute programme centred on the concerns raised by Imran Khan’s sons over their father’s treatment, health and circumstances while he remains in prison.

Despite the reported tension surrounding the broadcast, Pakistan returned to the field as scheduled and there was no interruption to the Test.

Babar’s comments are also consistent with those made earlier by Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, who said neither he nor the players were aware of any reported threat to stop the match from continuing.

The controversy surrounding the interview came against the backdrop of reports that the PCB, led by Mohsin Naqvi, had instructed Pakistan players not to make political comments while on the UK tour.

The reported directive followed the controversy involving Imran Khan and the planned Sky Sports interview with his sons.

However, the off-field dispute did not have any impact on the eventual outcome of the Lord’s Test.

England completed a convincing 194-run victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Pakistan were set 389 to win but were bowled out for 194, with Saud Shakeel finishing on 97 and missing out on a century by just three runs.

Pakistan were also without opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was unable to bat again after suffering a calf injury while fielding on the opening day.

The victory ended England’s wait for a Test series win, with their previous series triumph coming in December 2024.

The teams will now head to Birmingham for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, starting on September 9.