Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed says team unaware of PCB's reported threat to withdraw from Lord's Test

Pakistan's head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed (AP photo)

Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has said he and his players were completely unaware of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s reported threat to withdraw from the Lord’s Test after Sky Sports aired an interview with Imran Khan’s sons. The controversy emerged during the lunch break on the first day of the second Test between England and Pakistan, with reports claiming the PCB had warned the England and Wales Cricket Board that Pakistan could abandon the match and potentially pull out of the remainder of the three-Test tour if the interview was broadcast. However, Pakistan’s players returned to the field after lunch and the Test continued as scheduled. Asked about the incident after the end of play on Day 2, Sarfaraz said the reported developments had not reached the dressing room and insisted his attention remained on the match. "I don't know anything. I'm just focusing on the match. You're talking about the interview? We don't know about the interview," Sarfaraz told reporters. The Pakistan coach was then asked whether there had been any possibility of the players refusing to return for the second session on the opening day. "All are OK. We were having lunch at that time," he replied.

Interview involving Imran Khan’s sons

The interview in question featured Suleiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan, and was conducted by former England captain and Sky Sports broadcaster Michael Atherton. During the conversation, the two brothers spoke about their father’s treatment and security while he remains in custody. They also questioned the UK government’s response to his situation. A version of the interview was ultimately broadcast, despite the reported concerns raised by the PCB. In Pakistan, however, viewers did not see the interview. The Test is being shown by state broadcaster PTV using Sky’s international feed, but PTV did not air the segment involving Imran Khan’s sons.

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Political backdrop

The episode has unfolded against a politically sensitive backdrop, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serving as Pakistan’s interior minister. Imran Khan, 73, remains one of the most prominent figures in Pakistan’s cricket and political history. He spent 21 years as an international cricketer and led Pakistan to their first World Cup triumph in 1992. He later entered politics and served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Khan has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in corruption-related cases, charges he has denied. Despite the reported threat surrounding the Sky Sports interview, Pakistan’s participation in the Lord’s Test was not disrupted. England ended the second day in a strong position, moving 261 runs ahead after reaching 81 for 3 in their second innings.

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