PCB complains to Sky Sports over Imran Khan sons’ interview at Lord’s

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports over an interview with former Pakistan captain Imran Khan’s sons that was broadcast during the lunch break on the first day of the second Test at Lord’s.

According to Cricinfo, the PCB considered stopping Pakistan from returning to the field after lunch in protest against the broadcast. The interview featured Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim, speaking about their father’s health and expressing fears for his life.

Why did the PCB complain to Sky Sports?

The PCB objected to Sky Sports broadcasting the interview during the Test match. The board contacted the broadcaster before the lunch break and reportedly warned that Pakistan’s players could refuse to take the field if the segment was aired.

Sky subsequently delayed the interview before eventually broadcasting the 18-minute segment. By the time it finished, Pakistan’s players were preparing to return to the field for the second session.

Pakistan ultimately took the field as scheduled.

Cricinfo reported that the interview was conducted by former England captain and Sky Sports broadcaster Mike Atherton at Lord’s on Wednesday morning. Sky had also shown a teaser for the interview ahead of the Test.

What did Imran Khan’s sons say in the interview?

Suleiman and Kasim Khan spoke about their father’s health and raised concerns about his treatment in prison. They said they feared for his life as his family continues to seek appropriate medical care for him.

The interview was broadcast during the lunch interval in the UK. PTV, which is carrying the England-Pakistan series in Pakistan, did not broadcast the segment.

The PCB’s complaint came as concerns surrounding Imran’s health have received increasing attention, including from former international cricketers.

What is the latest on Imran Khan’s health?

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, and his health has become a growing concern for his family in recent weeks.

Last week, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered that he be admitted to Shifa Hospital in Islamabad. He was instead taken to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) before being returned to prison after a medical check-up.

His sisters and sons have alleged that the court order was not followed and have called for Imran to be allowed to see his personal doctor.

The Pakistan government has rejected allegations that Imran has been mistreated in prison or denied access to his family and lawyers. In a statement to the Associated Press, the government said he had received more than 900 visits from family members, lawyers and doctors since his imprisonment.

Why has Mike Atherton been involved in calls over Imran Khan’s health?

Atherton was among 22 former international captains who recently wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about Imran Khan’s health.

The former captains urged the prime minister to ensure that Imran receives appropriate medical care in prison. The group included former captains from India, Australia, England, West Indies and New Zealand.

The letter followed an earlier appeal signed by 14 former captains in February. That letter did not receive a response from the Pakistan government.

Atherton’s interview with Imran’s sons came shortly after that latest appeal, bringing the former Pakistan captain’s health into the spotlight during an ongoing Test series between England and Pakistan.

Despite the PCB’s complaint and its reported consideration of a protest, Pakistan returned to the field after lunch at Lord’s as scheduled.