Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has denied any knowledge of discussions within the team about boycotting the Lord’s Test against England, despite widespread reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to pull its players off the field over a Sky Sports interview with Imran Khan’s sons.sports. The controversy erupted during the lunch interval on Day 1 of the second Test at Lord’s, when Sky Sports aired a pre-recorded interview conducted by former England captain Michael Atherton with Imran Khan’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan. Multiple outlets reported that the PCB had formally complained to the broadcaster and warned that the Pakistan team would not return for the afternoon session if the segment was shown, citing concerns over the political undertones of the interview amid Imran Khan’s ongoing imprisonment in Pakistan.

After England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officials intervened and persuaded the touring side against taking such a step, Pakistan eventually resumed play as scheduled, and the match went on to conclude with a 194-run victory for England. In the post-match press interactions, however, questions resurfaced about whether the Pakistan camp had seriously considered a boycott or walkout. When asked by the BBC after the match if there had been any talk of boycotting the Lord’s Test, Babar Azam responded: “No, no. I have not heard that thing.” Pressed further on whether he was aware of any such conversations within the management or dressing room, the captain repeated: “No, I have not heard anything about that.” His comments directly contradict earlier media reports that the PCB had threatened not to send the team back onto the field if Sky proceeded with the broadcast.

The incident has intensified scrutiny on the PCB’s stance toward political coverage during the England tour. Following the Lord’s controversy, the board reportedly advised players to avoid commenting on Imran Khan’s detention when approached by British media, describing the Sky interview as politically charged. At the same time, the episode has drawn attention to the broader intersection of cricket and politics in Pakistan, with Imran Khan’s family using the platform to raise concerns about his health and legal situation. As the series moves forward, the focus is likely to remain as much on off-field tensions as on performances in the field. While Babar Azam has sought to distance the playing group from the boycott narrative, the episode underscores the delicate position the PCB and team management occupy between sporting commitments and the volatile domestic political landscape in Pakistan.

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The 18-minute Sky Sports segment, broadcast during the lunch break on August 28, featured Atherton questioning Suleiman and Kasim Khan about their father’s incarceration, alleged health issues, and the circumstances surrounding his conviction. PCB officials reportedly viewed the interview as an attempt to politicize the tour and lodged an immediate protest with both Sky and the ECB, arguing that such content should not be aired during live coverage of a bilateral series. In the aftermath, the PCB is also said to have instructed its players to steer clear of political questions, particularly those relating to Imran Khan, in interactions with the British press. Sources indicated that the board was keen to avoid any further incidents that could jeopardize the remainder of the tour or attract disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council.

Despite the internal directive, the Lord’s episode has already sparked debate in Pakistan and among the diaspora about the role of cricketers in political discourse. Supporters of Imran Khan have criticized the PCB for attempting to silence players, while others argue that the team should remain focused on cricket and avoid being drawn into domestic controversies while on an overseas assignment. For Babar Azam, the denial of any boycott talk may help insulate the captain and squad from accusations of politicizing the tour, but it also highlights a potential communication gap between the playing group and the board’s senior officials. With the third and final Test approaching, all eyes will be on whether the PCB can keep the focus on sport or whether the Imran Khan row continues to cast a shadow over Pakistan’s campaign in England.

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