Pakistan coach says players unaware of PCB threat to halt England Test

Head coach 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.

During lunch on day one of the second Test, Sky Sports aired an interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran, who has been in prison for the past three years.

It is understood the PCB raised the prospect of cancelling the Test at Lord's and the remainder of the three-match tour if the interview aired.

A version of the interview was broadcast, and the players returned to the field after the interval to continue the match.

"I don't know anything. I'm just focusing on the match," said Sarfaraz at the end of the second day's play.

"You're talking about the interview? We don't know about the interview."

Asked if there was ever a possibility his players would return for the afternoon session on day one, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper said: "All are OK. We were having lunch at that time."

Legendary all-rounder Imran Khan, 73, had a 21-year international career for Pakistan and famously led his team to World Cup glory in 1992.

He served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Since 2023, Khan has been in jail on corruption charges which he denies.

The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serves as Pakistan's interior minister.

In the interview conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton, Suleiman and Kasim expressed concerns over the treatment and security given to their father, as well as criticising the UK government's response.

Before it aired, Sky received a complaint about the plan to broadcast the interview.

In response to the tension around the situation, the ECB took government advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

In Pakistan, the match is being aired by the public broadcaster PTV, using Sky's pictures. PTV did not air the interview.

Ultimately, the tourists resumed play after lunch and the Test has continued to the end of the second day, with England 261 runs ahead at 81-3 in their second innings.

It is understood Sky received no further complaints on Friday in relation to the interview.

In October, England will tour Pakistan for a one-day tri-series against the home side and Sri Lanka.

It will be England's fourth separate tour of Pakistan in the past four years following a 17-year gap between visits to the country because of security concerns.

In 2006, a Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval was abandoned after the visitors were accused of ball tampering.

Pakistan were adjudged to have forfeited the match after refusing to play after tea on the fourth day, the only instance in Test history when a team has forfeited a Test.

-BBC