Watch: "I have not…" – Babar Azam breaks silence on alleged Lord's Test boycott threat against England

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has denied reports that the team had considered boycotting the Lord’s Test against England. The controversy began after Sky Sports aired an interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, during the lunch break on Day 1.

Reports claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unhappy with the broadcast and had considered taking strong action. There were also reports that Pakistan could refuse to return to the field for the second session. However, Babar said he had not heard anything from the team management about a possible boycott.

Babar was asked about the issue during the Test and made it clear that the players were not involved in any such discussion. The Pakistan captain also denied having any knowledge of a plan to abandon the match or the tour. 

Watch the viral video here:

Pakistan reportedly mulled returning to the field after lunch over Imran Khan's sons' Interview

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly considered a strong response after Sky Sports planned to air an interview with Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Reports claimed that the PCB even threatened to cancel the Lord’s Test and abandon the rest of the three-match tour if the interview was broadcast.

The interview was scheduled to be shown during the lunch break on Day 1 of the Lord’s Test. According to reports, the PCB was unhappy with the decision and considered not sending the Pakistan team back onto the field for the second session if Sky Sports aired the interview.

However, a version of the interview was eventually broadcast, and the Pakistan players returned to the field after lunch to resume the Test. Babar Azam later said that he had not heard anything about a possible boycott from the team management and denied having any knowledge of such a plan.