The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports after the broadcaster aired an interview with Imran Khan’s sons during the lunch interval of the second Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the PCB even considered keeping Pakistan’s players off the field after lunch in protest against the broadcast.
Former England captain Mike Atherton conducted the 18-minute interview with Suleiman Khan and Kasim Khan. They spoke about concerns over their father’s health after he spent three years in prison.
The PCB reportedly contacted Sky before lunch and objected to the planned segment. The board threatened that Pakistan would not return for the second session if Sky aired it.
Sky initially delayed the interview before eventually broadcasting it. By the time the segment ended, Pakistan’s players had begun preparing to return to the field for the 2:40pm restart.
Atherton recorded the interview at Lord’s on Wednesday morning. Sky had also shown a teaser before the Test. Pakistan’s domestic broadcaster, PTV, did not carry the interview.
Imran’s health has become a growing concern in recent weeks. His sons have increased their efforts to secure medical treatment for the former Pakistan captain and prime minister.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week ordered that Imran receive treatment at Shifa Hospital in Islamabad. Authorities instead took him to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences before returning him to prison.
His sisters and sons have alleged that authorities breached the court order and prevented him from seeing his personal doctor.
The issue has also attracted support from former international captains. Last week, 21 former captains, including Atherton, wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging him to ensure Imran receives proper medical care.
Pakistan eventually returned to the field as scheduled after lunch.
The PCB has not yet issued an official public response. ESPNcricinfo has contacted the board for comment.
The Pakistan government has rejected allegations that Imran has faced mistreatment in prison or restrictions on family and legal visits. It said he had received more than 900 visits from relatives, lawyers and doctors since his imprisonment in August 2023.
