The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has instructed its players touring England to remain silent regarding the imprisonment of former captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan, PTI reported.
This was after British journalists tried to extract reactions from Pakistani players following recent international appeals regarding Khan’s medical care in prison.
On Day 1 of the ongoing Lord’s Test, broadcaster Sky Sports aired an 18-minute interview conducted by Michael Atherton with Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Suleman, who raised alarm over their father's deteriorating health and isolation in Adiala Jail.
Subsequently, multiple reports claimed that the PCB threatened a walk-off because of the interview. However, Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed downplayed the rumors in a press conference.
"I don't know anything. I'm just focusing on the match," Sarfaraz replied after an English journalist asked him about tension between the ECB and PCB over the Imran family interview.
"You're talking about the interview? We don't know about the interview," he clarified, before assuring that all is well in the dressing room. "All are OK. We were having lunch at that time," Sarfaraz responded when enquired if Pakistan considered abandoning the match and the remaining tour after the interview was aired.
Earlier, 21 former international cricket captains—including Indian greats Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar—signed a joint letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanding immediate, adequate medical care and humane treatment for Imran Khan, who has been in prison since 2023 over corruption charges.
While no former Pakistani cricketers were among the letter's signatories, Imran’s former teammate Javed Miandad has called for his release, describing him as a very honest person. Former wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan too joined the bandwagon, urging the government to ensure that the legendary cricketer-turned-politician receives the necessary medical treatment.
In a video doing rounds on social media, Moin also asked all Pakistani cricketers to raise their voices in support of Imran.
Amid the recent development, a PCB source said the board was not one bit pleased with the Sky Sports Interview as it was political in nature. However, considering a reception for the team on September 2 by Prince Charles and the existing diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom, they avoided prolonging the issue and decided to carry on playing the series.
Pakistan trail 1-0 in three-match series, having lost the opening Test in Leeds by an innings and 103 runs. They have been set a daunting fourth-innings target of 389 runs to win the second Test at Lord’s and keep the series alive.
(With PTI Inputs)
