Imran Khan’s sons’ interview: Unaware of threat to end England tour, says head coach Sarfaraz

LONDON: Pakistan cricket team head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has said that neither he nor the Pakistani players were aware of an alleged Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threat to end the England tour over a Sky Sports interview with the sons of former prime minister Imran Khan.

According to a BBC report, Sky Sports aired an interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan, with former England captain Michael Atherton during lunch on the first day of the second Test at Lord’s. Imran Khan has been in prison for the past three years.

The report said the PCB was understood to have raised the possibility of cancelling the Lord’s Test and the remainder of England’s three-match tour if the interview was broadcast. However, a version of the interview was aired and the Pakistani players returned to the field after lunch to continue the match.

Speaking at the end of the second day’s play, Sarfaraz Ahmed said he was unaware of the interview controversy and was focused on the match. He also said the players did not know about the interview.

Asked whether there had ever been a possibility that the Pakistani players would not return for the afternoon session on the first day, Sarfaraz said everything was normal and the players were having lunch at the time.

In the interview, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan expressed concerns about their father’s treatment and security while also criticising the UK government’s response.

Sky Sports had received a complaint about the planned broadcast before the interview was aired. Amid tensions over the issue, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sought advice from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

In Pakistan, the Test is being broadcast by state broadcaster PTV using Sky Sports’ pictures, but PTV did not air the interview with Imran Khan’s sons.