The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially lodged a complaint with Sky Sports following the broadcast of an interview featuring Suleiman and Kasim Khan, sons of former prime minister and Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan. The interview aired during the lunch interval on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s.
Conducted by former England captain and Sky Sports presenter Mike Atherton, the conversation focused on Imran Khan’s health and the concerns his family holds after nearly three years of imprisonment. The PCB reportedly raised objections to the interview before the lunch break, reportedly threatening to ask Pakistan’s players not to return to the field if the segment was aired.
In response to the PCB’s protest, Sky Sports delayed the broadcast but eventually aired the full 18-minute interview. By the time the program concluded, Pakistan’s team was preparing to resume play at 2:40 pm and ultimately took the field as scheduled for the second session.
The interview was recorded on Wednesday morning at the Writers’ Room at Lord’s. Notably, Sky Sports had previously shown a brief preview of the interview before the Test began. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV, which holds domestic rights to the series, chose not to air the segment.
This controversy arises amid increased scrutiny over Imran Khan’s health. His family members, including his sons and sisters, have been advocating for better medical treatment for the former captain. Last week, the Supreme Court ordered that Imran be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. Instead, he was taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for evaluation before being returned to prison. The family claims this action violated the court’s directive and has demanded access to his personal doctor.
The issue has also drawn international cricket figures into the debate. Last week, 21 former international captains—including Atherton—sent a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging the government to ensure Imran receives adequate medical care while incarcerated. This group included former captains from India, Australia, England, the West Indies, and New Zealand. Their appeal followed a similar letter by 14 former captains in February, which reportedly went unanswered by Pakistani authorities.
Despite the tensions surrounding the Sky Sports interview, Pakistan’s cricket team continued with the Test match as planned, returning to the field for the afternoon session. The PCB has yet to issue a public statement on the matter. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has denied allegations of mistreatment or denial of access to Imran Khan’s family and legal representatives during his imprisonment.
