Pakistan coach denies knowledge of PCB boycott threat over interview

Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed stated he had no knowledge of a reported threat by the Pakistan Cricket Board to boycott the second Test against England at Lord's over a broadcaster's interview with the sons of former prime minister Imran Khan. The incident occurred during the lunch break on the first day of the match, but the team returned to the field as scheduled to continue play. The controversy began when Sky Sports aired an interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan, conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton, during the interval on Thursday. In the interview, Imran Khan's sons expressed concerns about their father's health, security, and treatment in prison, stating that authorities were "blatantly trying to kill him." The Pakistan Cricket Board, whose chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serves as the country's interior minister, lodged a formal complaint with the broadcaster. According to reports, the PCB informed the England and Wales Cricket Board that if the interview was broadcast, Pakistan might withdraw from the Test and the remainder of the three-match series. Despite the reported threat, the match proceeded.