The Pakistan Cricket Board has advised its players involved in the Test series against England to refrain from commenting on the imprisonment of former Pakistan captain and 1992 World Cup-winning skipper Imran Khan.
The directive comes after British media outlets attempted to question members of the Pakistan team about Imran’s imprisonment and his reported condition in jail.
The issue gathered momentum following an interview with Imran’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, which was aired by Sky Sports during the lunch interval of the second Test at Lord’s.
Players Told To Stay Away From Issue
Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was asked whether members of the team had watched the interview conducted by former England captain Mike Atherton.
Sarfaraz said the players were having lunch at the time and had not seen the broadcast.
“No we don’t know anything about it, we were having lunch,” he said when asked about reports that the PCB had threatened not to send the team back onto the field if Sky Sports aired the interview.
The interview had triggered considerable attention, with Imran’s sons expressing fears over their father’s safety and alleging that his prison conditions had deteriorated.
PCB Unhappy With Sky Sports Interview
The controversy has also coincided with growing international attention surrounding Imran’s health and treatment in custody.
Several former international cricketers have called for proper medical care for the former Pakistan captain, who has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 following convictions in corruption cases.
Former Pakistan captain and Imran’s teammate Javed Miandad has also made an impassioned appeal to the authorities to release him, describing the former all-rounder as an honest person.
A PCB source said the board was unhappy with the Sky Sports interview because it considered the broadcast political in nature.
However, the board chose not to prolong the matter, partly because of Pakistan’s existing diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom and a reception for the team hosted by Prince Charles scheduled for September 2.
The Pakistan team therefore continued with the Test series despite the controversy.
Pakistan Look To Recover In Series
Pakistan lost the opening Test against England by an innings and 103 runs and will now look to bounce back in the remaining matches.
The third Test of the series is scheduled to begin in Birmingham on September 9.
The PCB’s latest directive means Pakistan’s players are expected to avoid publicly discussing Imran’s imprisonment or the political controversy surrounding his detention as the team continues its England tour.
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