Pakistan ‘threaten to halt England Test’ over Sky interview with Imran Khan’s sons

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The opening day of England’s Lord’s Test against Pakistan reportedly came close to a political interruption following a television interview with the sons of Imran Khan.

The former cricket captain and Pakistan prime minister has been controversially imprisoned in the country for the past three years and Sky Sports screened a conversation between ex-England skipper Michael Atherton and Khan’s adult sons Suleiman and Kasim during the lunch interval on Thursday.

The pair aired concerns over their father’s safety and treatment, as well as criticising the UK Government’s response, in a segment that is said to have come close to impacting the on-field action.

Cricinfo reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to halt its players taking the field for the afternoon session, while The Guardian indicated that a formal complaint was issued to the broadcaster.

Sky declined to comment when contacted by the Press Association, while the PCB offered no reaction and there were no questions on the subject when seam bowler Mohammad Abbas held a post-match press conference.

The chairman of the PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, also serves as his country’s interior minister.

The first day’s play was almost halted (AP)

Despite suggestions that a boycott was under consideration, Pakistan resumed on schedule after the lunch break and there was no repeat of the infamous 2006 Test at the Oval when umpire Darrell Hair accused Pakistan of ball-tampering.

Inzamam-ul-Haq’s team declined take the field and were ultimately judged to have forfeited the game.