Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed responded to reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had threatened to abandon the second Test against England after Day 2. Sky Sports aired an interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan during the Day 1 lunch break.
England hold the upper hand in the second Test at the Lord's. The Joe Root-led team ended Day 2 (Friday, August 28) on 81/3 in their second innings. They extended their overall lead to 261 runs with seven wickets in hand. Notably, the hosts had also secured an innings-and-103-run victory in the first Test.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Responds to Lord's Boycott Questions
Sarfaraz Ahmed was asked about reports of a PCB warning over the Lord’s Test during his post-match press conference. The Pakistan head coach said that he knew nothing about the reported dispute and insisted that the players were focused on the match.
“I don't know anything. I'm just focusing on the match. You're talking about the interview? We don't know about the interview. All are OK. We were having lunch at that time.”
Reporters then asked whether the players had been told to remain in the dressing room instead of returning to the field after the Day 1 lunch break. Sarfaraz repeatedly replied, “no, no, no, no, no.” Pakistan returned to the field as scheduled, with the players showing no sign of an interruption.
Sarfaraz Ahmed said he and his players did not know about a Pakistan Cricket Board threat to the England and Wales Cricket Board over a Sky interview with the sons of Imran Khan.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) August 28, 2026
During lunch on day one of the second Test, Sky Sports aired an interview with Suleiman and Kasim… pic.twitter.com/nxgWDjrYOc
PCB Triggered Sky Sports Interview With Imran Khan's Sons
The controversy began during the Day 1 lunch break when Sky Sports aired an interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton.
The PCB reportedly complained to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and warned that Pakistan could abandon the Lord’s Test and withdraw from the rest of the three-match series if the interview was broadcast.
The ECB then sought advice from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the reported threat. Sky Sports went ahead with the interview, while the network said that it received no further complaints on Friday.
Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV did not show the interview. However, it aired advertisements during the lunch break while using Sky Sports’ live feed for the Test.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Dual Role Raises Political Questions
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. His dual role has added sensitivity to the dispute over the Sky Sports interview involving Imran Khan’s sons.
During the interview, Suleiman and Kasim Khan spoke about their father’s treatment and security in custody. They also criticised the UK government’s response to his situation.
Imran played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs for Pakistan during his 21-year international career. He scored 3,807 Test runs and took 362 wickets while also leading Pakistan to their first World Cup title in 1992.
Khan later entered politics and served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He has remained in prison since 2023 after convictions in corruption-related cases. His sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, raised concerns about his treatment and security during the Sky Sports interview.
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