The Pakistan national team’s England tour has taken a hit from an off-field spat between former captain Imran Khan, which has now taken centre stage, as the squad is in a bad run at Lord’s.
The feud started when Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Imran’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, at the first Test’s lunch break on day one of the second Test. The PCB was reported to have raised reservations about the proposed over-the-air broadcast, and even considered boycotting the game.
The play never stopped, however, and the players headed back to the field as usual after lunch.
Pakistan Coach Was Not Briefed
This happened to be unusual, when Sarfaraz Ahmed was questioned regarding the alleged dispute in his press conference.
The Pakistan coach claimed he was not aware of the details, and had been concentrating on the Test match. He also said that the dressing room was not a place where they’d said they didn’t want to play anymore.
That seemed to have revealed a rift between the reports around the PCB and their own team’s report.
It is a pity that PTV did not show the interview.
The interview also made a marked impression on international and domestic coverage of the Test as well.
The conversation was aired in the UK by Sky Sports but not by the Pakistan official broadcaster, PTV. The network aired the game, but filled in the time with ads.
The Pakistan team were allegedly seen watching the interview during lunch break.
In fact, Mr. Imran continues to be a sensitive issue.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who won the World Cup in 1992, has been jailed since 2023 after being found guilty of corruption.
In Pakistan, his political condition is highly sensitive and so any discussion about him, taking place in the public forum, is of special significance.
But the subject has been somewhat absent from England’s communications with the media in the series. It is reported that no journalists have been asking questions about Imran or the broadcast.
Cricket problems add to the pressure.
The controversy has come at the wrong time as Pakistan are already under immense pressure on the field.
Pakistan were not able to convert the lead at Lord’s after a poor performance in the first Test in Leeds and were bowled out for just 110 runs. England then set up a huge deficit leaving the visitors once again in a tight spot.
Sarfaraz has since been subjected to numerous queries regarding the batting debacle and England’s overwhelming superiority and the only thing that can be discussed is Pakistan’s abysmal performance.
The team must now turn its attention to getting back on track after its tough start to the series. But all the events that led to the Imran interview have put Pakistan’s England campaign in the spotlight beyond just the cricket.
21 former international cricketers have also urged Imran to be given proper care while in custody, as they were the first to appeal for the same earlier. There were no signatures from former Pakistan players.