The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports after the broadcaster aired an interview with the sons of former Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan during the lunch interval of the second Test against England at Lord’s.
According to Cricinfo, the PCB is considering instructing Pakistan players not to return to the field after the break as a form of protest. The interview was conducted by former England cricketer and Sky presenter Michael Atherton. Imran Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, expressed concerns about their father’s health and well-being, noting that he has been imprisoned for three years.
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The PCB reportedly contacted Sky ahead of the lunch interval to object to the interview and warned that the players might refuse to resume play if the footage was broadcast. Although Sky initially delayed airing the interview, it eventually screened the 18-minute segment. By the time it concluded, the Pakistan team was preparing to return to the field for the post-lunch session at 2:40 PM local time.
The interview took place on Wednesday
The interview took place on Wednesday at the Lord’s Writers’ Room, with Sky Sports previewing it before the Test match. In Pakistan, the match broadcaster, PTV, chose not to show the interview.
Imran Khan’s health has been a subject of significant attention in Pakistan in recent weeks. His sons have called for proper medical treatment for the former Prime Minister and cricketing legend. Last week, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered his transfer to Islamabad’s Shifa Hospital. However, he was taken instead to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and subsequently returned to prison after a brief check-up. His sisters and sons have accused authorities of violating the court order and have demanded that Imran Khan be allowed to consult with his personal doctor.
In response to these developments, twenty-two former international cricket captains sent a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif renewing their appeal for Imran Khan’s medical treatment. The letter, reported by Cricinfo, was signed by notable figures including Michael Atherton, Alex Blackwell, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, Alastair Cook, Michael Gatting, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Lee Germon, Adam Gilchrist, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, Dilip Vengsarkar, Steve Waugh and John Wright.
This followed a previous letter from fourteen captains
This followed a previous letter from fourteen captains sent in February, which reportedly received no response from the Pakistan government.
At the close of day one of the Test, England was 248 for nine. Pakistani bowler Mohammed Abbas took four wickets while also contributing three wickets earlier, keeping Pakistan in a strong position after electing to bowl first. England’s innings was rescued by half-centuries from Jamie Smith (61) and Jordan Cox (55).
Source: thenewsmill.com
