Islamabad: Pakistan Head Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed stated on Friday that neither he nor his team were aware of a reported threat made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to abandon the Lord’s Test. This threat was reportedly in protest of an interview conducted by Sky Sports featuring Imran Khan’s sons.
On Thursday, during the lunch break on day one of the ongoing second Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s, Sky Sports broadcast the interview. Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim, used the platform to criticize the Pakistani government, expressing deep concern over their father’s health. The former prime minister and cricketer has been incarcerated in Rawalpindi since 2023.
According to The New York Times, the PCB was displeased with Sky Sports providing the Khans with a platform and attempted to have the interview withdrawn. The board is currently led by Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s interior minister, who has faced severe criticism from Khan and his opposition party.
International media reports indicate that PCB officials threatened to refuse resuming play after the lunch interval if Sky Sports went ahead with the broadcast. However, negotiations between the PCB and the ECB ultimately succeeded in alleviating the Pakistani board’s concerns. Pakistan returned to the crease after the interval, allowing the match to continue despite the interview airing, until poor light halted play for the day.
“I am unaware of anything,” Ahmed told a reporter on Friday when questioned about any discussions between the two cricket boards regarding the Sky interview.
“My sole focus remains on the match.”
When asked if there had been any suggestion that the Pakistan team would refuse to continue the Test after the first day’s lunch break, Ahmed responded:
“No, we had no knowledge of the interviews. Everything was fine, as we were on our lunch break at that time.”
Khan’s health has become a focal point of national and international headlines. His family and political party have expressed grave concern, accusing the government of medical negligence while he remains imprisoned.
The 73-year-old was diagnosed earlier this year with a retinal condition in his right eye, which his lawyers warned could result in permanent vision loss. Earlier this month, Pakistan’s top court ordered that he be transferred to Shifa International Hospital for specialized treatment.
Instead, the government transferred him to the state-run PIMS hospital for a brief check-up before returning him to jail, citing security concerns. Khan’s party alleges this action violated the court’s order, an accusation the government firmly denies.
Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until April 2022. He previously had a distinguished career as a professional cricketer, representing his country from the 1970s to 1992, and led the nation to their sole 50-over World Cup victory in 1992 before retiring from international cricket.
Imprisoned since 2023, Khan has faced numerous legal proceedings since leaving office, ranging from corruption allegations to charges stemming from violence by his supporters following his brief arrest in May 2023. Khan maintains his innocence, claiming the cases are politically motivated, while the government denies any persecution.
Last week, 21 former international cricket captains penned a letter to Pakistan’s prime minister, urging him to guarantee that Khan receives court-mandated medical care. The letter also called on Prime Minister Sharif to permit family visits, as Khan’s party alleges he is being held in solitary confinement.
The government denies these allegations. In a statement issued to the Associated Press last week, authorities stated that Khan has received over 900 visits from family, lawyers, and doctors since his incarceration began in August 2023. The government maintains that he is receiving the highest standard of medical care available in prison.
