PCB protests Sky interview on Imran Khan

In the interview Suleiman and Kasim Khan express concerns about the health of their father

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports over an interview with the sons of former prime minister Imran Khan during coverage of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s.

This brought the former cricket captain’s political and health plight into the spotlight during the series.

Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, used the interview to raise concerns about their father’s treatment in prison and his health. The 73-year-old former Pakistan captain has been in prison since August 2023 and his lawyers and family have repeatedly alleged that his health has deteriorated in custody, including significant loss of vision in his right eye. The government has rejected claims that he is being mistreated and says medical assessments have found no condition requiring urgent treatment.

The interview was conducted by former England captain Mike Atherton, who is also the Sky Sports broadcaster on Wednesday. Its 18-minute clip was aired on Thursday.

According to the Guardian Sky has acknowledged receiving the complaint but declined to comment, while the England and Wales Cricket Board was also made aware of the issue and declined to comment.

A few days ago, 21 former cricket captains had also written to the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif urging his government to ensure Khan receives proper treatment.

On August 18, Supreme Court ordered authorities to transfer Khan from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours for medical examination and treatment. The court directed that a multidisciplinary medical board examine him, including specialists and his personal physician, amid concerns about his reported deterioration. It also ordered greater family access.

The ruling was welcomed by Imran Khan’s party and his family, but the government challenged the decision, arguing that sending a convicted prisoner to a private hospital could create a precedent for other inmates seeking similar treatment.

Imran was shifted to PIMS, a state-owned hospital in Islamabad, for a brief treatment of his eye and was then shifted back to Adiala jail contraray to the apex court's directives.