Sarfraz shuts down controversy over Imran sons’ interview

Questions were raised during a press conference on the second day of the Lord’s Test over an interview involving the sons of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.

Qasim and Sulaiman Khan were interviewed on the opening day of the Test by former England captain Michael Atherton.

A cricket website reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had expressed displeasure over the interview and that there was some hesitation about sending the Pakistan team back onto the field after the lunch break.

However, Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said he was unaware of any such development when asked about the matter during the press conference.

Asked whether the PCB had lodged a complaint with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the interview, Sarfaraz replied that he did not know about any such complaint.

The coach was also asked whether the Pakistan team had considered refusing to return to the field after the lunch break because of the interview.

Sarfaraz dismissed the suggestion, saying no such situation had occurred. He said the team had been preparing to return to the field as usual after the lunch interval.

The interview has nevertheless drawn attention amid the ongoing Lord’s Test, with questions surrounding the involvement of Imran Khan’s sons in the broadcast coverage of the match