Sarfaraz denies knowledge of Pakistan's threat to cancel tour

Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said at the end of the second day of the second Test at Lord's that he and his players had no knowledge of a threat made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over a Sky Sports interview.

During the lunch break on day one, Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan, sons of former Pakistan prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan, who has spent the past three years in prison. It is understood the PCB had raised the possibility of cancelling the Lord's Test, and the remainder of the three-match tour, should the interview be aired.

A version of the interview ultimately went ahead, and Pakistan's players returned to the field after the break to resume play. "I don't know anything. I'm just focusing on the match," Sarfaraz said when asked about the interview, adding there was never any doubt about the team returning for the afternoon session, as they had simply been having lunch.

Interview conducted by Atherton

Imran Khan, 73, enjoyed a 21-year international career and famously captained Pakistan to World Cup glory in 1992. He served as the country's prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and has been imprisoned since 2023 on corruption charges he denies. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also holds the post of Pakistan's interior minister.

In the interview, conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton, Suleiman and Kasim Khan raised concerns about their father's treatment and security, and criticised the UK government's response. Sky had received a complaint ahead of broadcast about plans to air the interview, and the ECB sought guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office given the tension surrounding the situation.

In Pakistan, the match was shown by state broadcaster PTV using Sky's footage, though PTV did not air the interview itself. Play continued through to the close of the second day, with England 261 runs ahead on 81-3 in their second innings. No further complaints were received by Sky on Friday regarding the interview.

England are set to tour Pakistan again in October for a one-day tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka — the fourth such tour in four years, following a 17-year gap in visits due to security concerns.