LONDON: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports over an interview conducted with the sons of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan during the ongoing Lord’s Test. According to sources, the PCB raised objections just before the lunch break on Day 1, warning that Pakistani players might refuse to resume play if the interview was aired.
ESPN Cricinfo reported that the PCB’s representatives contacted Sky Sports to express their displeasure and threatened to halt Pakistan’s participation in the match if the broadcast went ahead. After discussions, Sky delayed the airing of the interview but eventually broadcast an 18-minute segment.
Meanwhile, on the cricketing front, Pakistan’s bowlers kept England under pressure on the first day, dismissing the hosts for 248/9, with lower-order batters Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue remaining not out on 34 and one, respectively.
The interview featured Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, raising serious concerns about their father’s health, which has been a point of contention for his supporters. Khan’s family and PTI leaders have long accused authorities of keeping him in solitary confinement at Adiala Jail, with recent reports indicating his health has deteriorated.
Last week, the Supreme Court directed authorities to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a comprehensive medical assessment. However, he was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where doctors from Shifa also examined him in the presence of his sister and doctors, according to government officials.
During the Sky interview, conducted by former England captain Mike Atherton, Khan’s sons expressed fears for their father’s well-being, alleging that his health is in serious decline. The interview was conducted as Pakistan was preparing to resume play, with the second session about to commence.
This controversy comes amid renewed calls from former international cricket captains urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure proper medical treatment for Khan, in line with the Supreme Court’s orders. A letter signed by 21 former captains criticized the authorities for not adhering to the court-mandated procedures, claiming Khan was examined only briefly by a state-appointed team and returned to jail without the full medical board’s assessment.
Additionally, Jemima Goldsmith, Khan’s former wife, called on the UK government to intervene, questioning Britain’s silence on the matter. She took to social media to demand answers, stating that Khan has endured “three years of solitary confinement” and alleging that he has been “brutally penalized” for his political activism.
The situation remains tense as legal and political debates over Khan’s health and treatment continue to unfold.
