Babar Azam says he was unaware of PCB threat over Sky Sports interview during Lord’s Test

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said during the second Test at Lord’s he had no knowledge of a Pakistan Cricket Board warning to boycott play over a Sky Sports interview with Kasim and Sulaiman Khan that had been threatened for the lunch break on Day 1. His denial came after reports that the PCB objected to the programme and had warned of a potential walkout if it was broadcast at that time.

The Sky Sports interview was hosted by Michael Atherton and focused on concerns raised by Kasim and Sulaiman Khan about their father Imran Khan’s health and his circumstances under the state of imprisonment. Reports emerged that the PCB had formally objected to airing the interview during the lunch interval on Day 1 and warned Sky Sports it would boycott play if it went ahead. Despite the reports and the warning, Pakistan returned to the field and the Test proceeded without interruption.

Speaking to the BBC after Pakistan’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s, Babar was asked directly about the reported row and denied any awareness of a discussion within the squad. He replied, "No, no, no. I haven’t heard that thing." When questioned a second time about whether he was aware of the ongoing conversations, he said simply, "No."

Earlier, Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed addressed the situation in a statement, saying he and the entire team were "not unaware of the controversy or any such development within the squad." The statement was presented as a clear response to the media reports about the threatened boycott. Those remarks were taken to imply that, despite the headlines, neither Babar nor anyone else in the dressing room had been involved in or informed about the proceedings referenced in the coverage.

The match at Lord’s finished in England’s favour, with Pakistan defeated by 194 runs. The loss was Pakistan’s second in the series and, together with their defeat at Headingley, resulted in Pakistan losing the series.

Pakistan did not actually walk out of the second Test; the reports describe only a threat to boycott that was not carried out and after which play continued as scheduled.

Pakistan remain mathematically in contention for the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 final, but their chances of reaching that final are described as unlikely.