Pakistan refused to take field over Imran Khan's sons' interview during 2nd Test: Report

A bizarre controversy has emerged from England, where the hosts are currently facing Pakistan in a Test series. On Day 1 of the second Test at Lord's, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly asked broadcasters Sky Sports not to air an interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan during the lunch break. The PCB allegedly even threatened that Pakistan's players would walk out if the interview was broadcast. However, Sky Sports went ahead with its scheduled programming and aired the interview.

The 18-minute interview was conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton, who was among 21 cricket captains to sign a letter addressed to Pakistan's Prime Minister over concerns about Imran Khan's deteriorating health. Imran has been behind bars since August 2023.

Several media outlets, including ESPNcricinfo and The Guardian, reported that the PCB was unhappy about Imran Khan's sons being given a platform during the Test match. According to the reports, the board told Sky Sports that Babar Azam's Pakistan team would not return to the field if the interview was aired.

Despite the reported threat, Sky Sports proceeded with the broadcast. Pakistan's players, however, did take the field for the post-lunch session.

PCB officials reportedly briefly threatened to prevent the players from returning to the field after the lunch interval. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) subsequently intervened and is said to have persuaded the Pakistan board to back down.

The controversy comes amid growing international concern over Imran Khan's treatment in prison. Cricket captains from around the world have sent two letters to Pakistan's Prime Minister regarding his situation. The first letter was drafted in February but failed to bring about the desired change. The second was sent earlier this week after Imran was returned to Adiala jail following a brief medical check-up.

During the interview, Imran's sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, spoke about their concerns over their father's condition in prison. The two brothers also claimed that they feared for his life while he remains incarcerated.

“It is not very clear what they are doing, just blatantly trying to kill him in there. Keep him in as long as possible and silence him,” Kasim said in the interview.

Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has remained behind bars in connection with multiple cases since his removal from office. He has been handed corruption-related sentences of 10, 14 and 17 years in separate cases.

Ahead of Pakistan's 2024 general elections, Imran was also sentenced to seven years in a case concerning the timing of his marriage to his current wife, following her divorce.

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