Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Babar Azam Denies Reported PCB Walkout Threat at Lord’s
Pakistan was playing England in a cricket Test at Lord’s.
During the lunch break, Sky Sports showed an interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim.
They talked about worries over their father’s health and treatment in prison.
Reports said the Pakistan Cricket Board was unhappy about the interview.
Some reports claimed Pakistan might not return to the field after lunch.
Babar Azam said he had not heard about any such plan.
Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed also said he did not know about it.
Pakistan returned to play, but England later won by 194 runs.
Babar Azam said he had not heard discussions about Pakistan refusing to resume the Lord’s Test after lunch.
Reports claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board objected to Sky Sports airing an interview with Imran Khan’s sons.
Sulaiman and Kasim Khan discussed concerns about their father’s health, treatment, and prison conditions.
Pakistan returned to the field after lunch, and the Test continued without interruption.
England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs and won the three-match series 2-0, according to reports.
- Who
- Pakistan captain Babar Azam, coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Pakistan Cricket Board, Sky Sports, and Imran Khan’s sons Sulaiman and Kasim were central to the controversy.
- What
- Babar Azam denied knowing about discussions over Pakistan potentially refusing to resume the Lord’s Test after lunch.
- When
- The interview aired during the lunch interval on the opening day; Babar commented after the match on Sunday, with reports published on August 31, 2026.
- Where
- Lord’s, England.
- Why
- Reports said the Pakistan Cricket Board objected to Sky Sports’ interview about Imran Khan’s health, treatment, and prison conditions.
Pakistan Team’s Account
Reports About the PCB’s Position
Knowledge of a walkout plan
Pakistan Team’s Account
Babar Azam said he had not heard any discussion about Pakistan refusing to resume play. Sarfaraz Ahmed also said he did not know about the interview or any such plan.
Reports About the PCB’s Position
Reports claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board considered preventing the team from returning to the field if the interview was broadcast.
Whether the match would continue
Pakistan Team’s Account
Pakistan returned after lunch and continued playing, indicating that no player-level walkout took place.
Reports About the PCB’s Position
Reports said the Pakistan Cricket Board objected to the interview and considered cancelling the Test or abandoning the remainder of the tour.
Reason for the dispute
Pakistan Team’s Account
The players’ public comments focused on continuing the match and said they were unaware of the controversy.
Reports About the PCB’s Position
The reported PCB objection centered on the interview discussing Imran Khan’s health, treatment, and prison conditions.
- Match
- The controversy occurred during the second Test between England and Pakistan.
- Interview
- Sky Sports aired an interview with Sulaiman and Kasim Khan during the opening day’s lunch interval.
- Interviewer
- The interview was conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton.
- Interview subject
- The brothers discussed concerns about their father Imran Khan’s health, treatment, and conditions in prison.
- Babar Azam’s response
- He said he had not heard any discussion about Pakistan refusing to return to the field after lunch.
- Reported PCB position
- Reports said the Pakistan Cricket Board complained to Sky Sports and considered a strong response, including possibly cancelling the Test and abandoning the tour.
- Match result
- England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs; reports said England won the three-match series 2-0.
Sources
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