The Pakistan Cricket Board has raised a formal objection with Sky Sports after Mike Atherton’s interview with Imran Khan’s sons was aired during the lunch break on Day 01 of the 2nd Test played at Lord’s.
The row erupted on the first day after Sky Sports aired a pre-recorded interview conducted by former England captain Mike Atherton with Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, the sons of imprisoned former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Board considered pulling the team off the field during the second test against England at Lord’s.
In the segment, filmed at the venue on Wednesday, Imran Khan’s sons expressed serious concerns over their father’s health and deteriorating eyesight.
The PCB objected to political content being included in the live match coverage and reportedly warned that Pakistan’s players could remain in the dressing room for the afternoon session if the feature was aired.
Sky delayed the segment before airing the programme during the lunch interval. The PCB officially filed a complaint, but backed down from its threat, and Pakistan cricket players returned to the field in the afternoon session.
However, the interview was not aired by the Pakistani broadcasters of the test series. The former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023 after being arrested in connection with corruption cases.
Imran Khan has denied the convictions and maintained his statement that cases against him are politically motivated. He is being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and has spent more than three years in prison.
The concerns over Imran Khan’s treatment have also drawn support from former international captains. A total of 21 former captains, including India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, and England’s Mike Atherton, have renewed an appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Khan to receive humane treatment and proper medical care.
They have called for a court-directed medical assessment, weekly family visits, and any necessary treatment to be provided without delay.
With the return of Babar Azam in Pakistan’s playing 11, the visitors went on to bowl first, where Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali bagged four and three wickets.
England lost 9 wickets by the end of day 01, with Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith smashing fifties each. Pakistan will be aiming for a win after England secured a massive win by an innings and 103 runs in the first test played at HeadingleyCarnegie.