KARACHI(National Times)- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the broadcaster after an interview with former prime minister and cricketer Imran Khan’s sons was telecast during the first day of the second Test against England at Lord’s.
According to reports in ESPN Cricinfo, The Guardian and other UK-based publications, the board had complained to Sky Sports and considered instructing the Pakistan team not to take the field after lunch in protest.
The interview, recorded at Lord’s on the eve of the Test and broadcast during a rain-delayed lunch interval on Thursday, focused on concerns over Imran’s health after nearly three years in custody.
The brothers spoke of significant deterioration in their father’s eyesight and said they feared for his life.
According to UK media reports, Pakistan weighed not taking the field after lunch on day one in protest
However, the PCB maintained silence over the move, and did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
According to the ESPN Cricinfo report, the PCB contacted Sky Sports before the lunch interval to object to the planned broadcast and warned that Pakistan’s players might refuse to return for the afternoon session.
Sky Sports initially delayed the broadcast while discussions took place but eventually aired the interview in full. By the time it ended, Pakistan’s players were preparing to resume play at 2:40pm local time and returned to the field as scheduled.
The England and Wales Cricket Board was made aware of the complaint and helped ensure that the match continued without disruption, the report said.
Pakistan’s state broadcaster, PTV, which holds the domestic broadcasting rights, did not air the interview. ESPN Cricinfo also reported that the PCB considered raising the matter with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Meanwhile, Australian captain Pat Cummins became the latest prominent cricketer to publicly support calls for Imran Khan to receive proper medical care.
In a post on X on Friday, quoting former Australian captain Greg Chappell, Cummins wrote: “Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves.”
Cummins is the first active international captain to publicly back the campaign. His comments came days after a letter signed by around 21 former international captains, including Atherton, Greg and Ian Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Clive Lloyd and Alastair Cook, was sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The former captains, representing India, Australia, England, the West Indies and New Zealand, called for the completion of an independent medical assessment ordered by the Supreme Court, including examination by Imran’s personal doctors.
