Pakistan’s cricket tour of England has been overshadowed by a political storm surrounding Imran Khan, after broadcaster Sky Sports aired an interview with the former prime minister’s sons during the second Test at Lord’s, forcing the team’s coach to field uncomfortable questions far removed from the game itself.
A Near-Boycott at Lord’s
Reports from the ground suggest Pakistan‘s dressing room came close to refusing to return after lunch once news broke that Sky planned to air the interview with Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, who spoke about their father’s health and conditions in prison. The Pakistan Cricket Board swiftly lodged a formal complaint with the broadcaster over the timing and handling of the interview during a live match.
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Captains Around the World Weigh In
The episode has added to mounting international pressure on Islamabad, with 22 former Test captains, including England’s Michael Atherton, writing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging proper medical care for Khan in custody. It follows an earlier, unanswered letter sent by 14 captains in February. Pakistan’s government has denied any mistreatment, stating Khan has received hundreds of family and legal visits since his 2023 imprisonment.
Coach Caught in the Crossfire
With the political controversy dominating headlines, Pakistan’s coaching staff found themselves fielding questions about Imran Khan rather than team strategy, even as the side dealt with a separate on-field reshuffle, handing the Lord’s Test captaincy back to Babar Azam in place of Salman Agha.
A Series Under Strain
The distraction comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, who arrived at Lord’s already under scrutiny for a struggling middle order. As the political noise around Imran Khan continues to follow the team across England, the coach’s search for answers now extends well beyond the scoreboard.
