Sarfaraz denies players knew of PCB threat to halt England tour during Lord's Test
Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said he and his players had no knowledge of a reported Pakistan Cricket Board threat to stop England's tour after a Sky Sports interview with Imran Khan’s sons, speaking after the second day's play of the second Test at Lord's.
The controversy began during the lunch break on the opening day when Sky Sports broadcast a pre-recorded interview with Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, who discussed their father's health and treatment in prison and criticised the UK government's response. The PCB is understood to have raised the possibility of cancelling the Lord's Test and abandoning the remainder of the three-match series if the segment was aired. Sky Sports initially delayed the piece after receiving a complaint but ultimately showed the interview, which was conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton.
Sarfaraz said neither he nor his players were aware of any dispute between the PCB and the England and Wales Cricket Board and insisted his focus remained on the match. "I don't know anything. I'm just focusing on the match," he said, adding, "You're talking about the interview? We don't know about the interview." Asked whether there had been any chance Pakistan would refuse to return for the afternoon session on Day 1, he replied: "All are OK. We were having lunch at that time."
The incident acquired a political element because PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serves as Pakistan's interior minister. As the disagreement developed, the England and Wales Cricket Board sought advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In Pakistan the interview was not shown by public broadcaster PTV, which used Sky's match pictures for its coverage.
Despite the reported threat, Pakistan returned after lunch on Day 1 and the Test continued without interruption; no further complaint from Sky's perspective was understood to have been raised on Friday. On the field, England had reached the close of Day 2 at 81/3 in their second innings, holding a 261-run lead.
The episode recalled the 2006 Oval Test when Pakistan refused to take the field after tea following an umpiring decision related to alleged ball tampering; that match remains the only Test to have been forfeited, with Pakistan adjudged to have conceded the game. At Lord's there was no repeat of that outcome and play proceeded.
Concerns over Imran Khan's health and treatment have drawn intervention from figures across the cricketing world, with a group of 21 former international captains — including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Clive Lloyd — renewing an appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for humane treatment, proper medical care and uninterrupted family visits. The appeal followed a Pakistan Supreme Court order for a medical assessment and a directive that Khan be moved to hospital; Khan has remained in custody since August 2023, with concerns particularly focused on his eyesight and broader health. Greg Chappell spoke about the difficulties of Khan's prolonged isolation, and Australia captain Pat Cummins added: "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 said.
England are due to return to Pakistan in October for a one-day tri-series involving Sri Lanka; the visit will be their fourth separate tour of Pakistan in four years after a 17-year gap between visits caused by security concerns.
