The opening day of England’s Lord’s Test against Pakistan reportedly came close to a political interruption following a television interview with the sons of Imran Khan.
The former cricket captain and Pakistan prime minister has been controversially imprisoned in the country for the past three years and Sky Sports screened a conversation between ex-England skipper Michael Atherton and Khan’s adult sons Suleiman and Kasim during the lunch interval on Thursday.
The pair aired concerns over their father’s safety and treatment, as well as criticising the UK Government’s response, in a segment that is said to have come close to impacting the on-field action.
Cricinfo reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to halt its players taking the field for the afternoon session, while The Guardian indicated that a formal complaint was issued to the broadcaster.
Sky declined to comment when contacted by the Press Association, while the PCB offered no reaction and there were no questions on the subject when seam bowler Mohammad Abbas held a post-match press conference.
The chairman of the PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, also serves as his country’s interior minister.
Despite suggestions that a boycott was under consideration, Pakistan resumed on schedule after the lunch break and there was no repeat of the infamous 2006 Test at the Oval when umpire Darrell Hair accused Pakistan of ball-tampering.
Inzamam-ul-Haq’s team declined take the field and were ultimately judged to have forfeited the game.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has meanwhile added his voice to 21 past Test skippers supporting Khan.
Greg Chappell was among the group of former cricket captains that signed a letter calling on Pakistan to ensure Khan be given proper care while in custody, and Cummins showed his support for his predecessor.
“Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains,” Cummins posted on X, formerly Twitter, in response to a clip of Chappell talking about Khan. “I hope the court ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves
PA
