Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has said that he and his players had no idea about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s reported threat to boycott the Lord’s Test against England over a Sky Sports interview involving Imran Khan’s sons.
The controversy erupted during the lunch break on the first day of the second Test. While the players were away from the field, Sky Sports broadcast a pre-recorded interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Reports later claimed that the PCB had warned the England and Wales Cricket Board that Pakistan could refuse to return to the field if the interview was aired. There was even a possibility of the team abandoning the rest of the three-Test tour. However, Pakistan returned for the afternoon session as scheduled.
What happened during the Lord’s Test?
The interview was conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton and focused on Imran Khan’s current situation in prison. His sons spoke about concerns over their father’s health, security and treatment.
Imran Khan has been in prison since 2023 after being convicted in corruption-related cases, which he denies. The former Pakistan captain has remained a major political figure in the country, while concerns about his health and access to his family have continued to attract international attention.
The decision by Sky Sports to broadcast the interview created an immediate problem for the PCB. The board reportedly objected strongly to the segment and raised the possibility of Pakistan pulling out of the Lord’s Test if it went ahead.
The England and Wales Cricket Board also sought government advice as the situation developed. Despite the tension, the match continued without any interruption after lunch.
Sarfaraz says players knew nothing
With the reports of a possible boycott making headlines, Sarfaraz Ahmed was asked after the second day’s play whether the Pakistan players had discussed refusing to take the field.
“I don’t know anything. I’m just focusing on the match,” Sarfaraz said when asked about the controversy.
When the reporter asked about the interview and whether there had been any discussion within the team, the Pakistan coach again played down the matter.
“We don’t know about the interview. All are okay. We were having lunch at that time,” he said.
Sarfaraz’s comments suggest that the reported dispute was being handled away from the players, with the team concentrating on the Test rather than the disagreement between the PCB and the broadcasters.
Sky Sports eventually showed a version of the interview despite the objections. The Pakistani broadcaster PTV, however, did not show the segment to viewers in Pakistan.
PTV was using the Sky feed for its coverage but replaced the interview portion with other programming and advertisements. The Pakistan players, meanwhile, returned to the field after lunch and continued the Test.
That was important because the reports had suggested that Pakistan could take the unusual step of refusing to resume play.
The incident also brought back memories of Pakistan’s controversial Test at The Oval in 2006, when the team did not return to the field after tea during the ball-tampering dispute. That match remains the only Test in history to have been forfeited.
Imran Khan issue continues to draw cricketing support
The controversy has also pushed Imran Khan’s situation back into the cricketing spotlight. Khan remains one of the biggest names in Pakistan cricket history. He captained the country to its first men’s ODI World Cup title in 1992 before moving into politics and later becoming Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
In recent weeks, several former international captains have expressed concern about his health and treatment. A group of former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Clive Lloyd, have called for proper medical care and continued family access for Khan. Australia captain Pat Cummins has also voiced support for the calls for Khan to receive appropriate care.
Pakistan now focused on the Test
While the off-field controversy attracted considerable attention, Pakistan’s problems on the field have been far more serious.
England ended the rain-affected third day at 177 for 7, holding a lead of 357 runs. Dan Lawrence made an unbeaten 50, while Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets during England’s second innings. Pakistan had already been bowled out for only 110 in their first innings.
For Sarfaraz and his players, then, the priority remains the cricket. Whatever discussions may have taken place between the PCB, ECB and broadcaster, the Pakistan team did not walk away from Lord’s. And according to their head coach, the players themselves were not even aware that a boycott had reportedly been considered.
