LONDON — High drama unfolded off the pitch during the opening day of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint against host broadcaster Sky Sports for airing an interview with the sons of former Pakistan prime minister and cricket legend Imran Khan.
The controversial 18-minute feature, recorded by former England captain turned broadcaster Michael Atherton in the Lord’s Writers’ Room, featured Sulaiman and Qasim Khan speaking candidly about their father’s ongoing imprisonment in Pakistan.
Tensions mounted during the lunch break when the PCB expressed severe objections to the broadcast, threatening to boycott the match by refusing to let the national side return to the field for the afternoon session.
While Sky Sports initially paused the segment following intense discussions with Pakistani officials, the broadcaster ultimately decided to air the pre-recorded interview during the scheduled interval. By the time the segment concluded, Pakistani players had made their way back to the field, resuming play at 2:40 PM local time without further delay.
During the broadcast, Imran Khan’s sons raised grave concerns regarding their father's condition and safety, claiming the former World Cup-winning captain is facing solitary confinement and mistreatment while in custody. PTV, which holds the official broadcasting rights inside Pakistan, opted to blackout the segment and did not air it domestically.
The incident highlights the growing intersection of politics and sport surrounding Imran Khan’s legal battles. Atherton, along with 20 other prominent international cricketers, recently launched a public campaign advocating for human rights and fair treatment for the jailed former premier.
Despite the boardroom standoff and brief threat of a player strike, the Test match at cricket's traditional home continued as scheduled, though the diplomatic friction between the PCB and international rights holders remains high.
