The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took a strong stance after Sky Sports broadcast an interview with former prime minister Imran Khan’s sons during the lunch interval on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s.
PCB officials reportedly threatened that Pakistan’s players would not return to the field after lunch after the board lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports over the broadcast.
The 18-minute interview, conducted by former England captain and broadcaster Mike Atherton, featured Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman. During the interview, they raised concerns about their father’s treatment by the Pakistan government.
The interview was recorded in the Writers’ Room in the Lord’s pavilion on Wednesday and was broadcast by Sky Sports during the lunch break on the rain-delayed opening day of the Test.
The PCB objected to Sky Sports giving the Khan airtime during the Test and raised the issue with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
However, discussions between the PCB and ECB helped resolve the situation, with Pakistan’s players returning to the field after the lunch interval. Play continued until bad light brought the day to an early close at around 6pm.
Sky Sports, which is aware of the PCB’s complaint, declined to comment when approached.
The Pakistani government has previously rejected allegations that Imran Khan has been mistreated in prison or prevented from meeting his family and lawyers.
In a statement issued to the Associated Press last week, the government said Khan had received more than 900 visits from family members, lawyers and doctors since his imprisonment began in August 2023.
Major international news organisations, including The Washington Post, The Guardian, CNN, Associated Press (AP), Reuters, AFP and The Canadian Press, have reported on the controversy surrounding the former prime minister’s imprisonment, highlighting the government’s response to allegations made by his family and party.
According to a report published by the Associated Press and The Canadian Press on August 21, the Pakistani government rejected allegations of “abuse, mental anguish, punitive solitary confinement and medical neglect” made by Imran Khan’s family and PTI.
The Ministry of Information maintained that Imran Khan is serving prison sentences following court verdicts and said the allegations against jail authorities were not supported by prison and medical records.
Read more: International media exposes PTI’s fake narrative on Imran Khan’s alleged isolation, torture