Watch: PCB threatens Lord's Test boycott, complains to Sky Sports over Imran Khan's sons interview

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a formal complaint to the Sky Sports after the broadcaster aired the interview with the sons of the former captain and Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, during the lunch break on the opening day of the second Test match at Lord’s.  

Pakistan came into this encounter on the back of their three-day defeat during the first Test of the series at Leeds when their batting failed to post 200 runs in both innings of the game. But Babar Azam’s return as the captain and veteran batter of the side inspired them a lot.

PCB lodges formal complaint, considered pulling players off the field after Lunch

The reports have revealed that the PCB considered the option of them not taking the field after the lunch break in protest. The former England captain and the current broadcaster of Sky, Michael Atherton, conducted the interview with Imran’s sons, Suleiman and Kasim Kha, who were concerned about their father’s health.

Watch the video here- 

The PCB is understood to have contact the broadcaster ahead of the break to protest the segment, as they threatened that their players would not return to the ground after the lunch if it aired. The Sky Sports delayed the interview before running the 18-minute clip at the end.

See Also: Imran Khan moved to hospital — Supreme court order explained

By the end of the interview, the Pakistan’s players were preparing to return to the field to restart their second session at 2:40 in the afternoon. Atheron arranged the interview with Imran’s sons in the Writers’ room at Lord’s. In Pakistan, PTV didn’t broadcast the interview.

Inside the interview — What Imran Khan's sons told Michael Atherton on Sky Sports

The focus has been around the health of Imran, which has been under the scrutiny for the last few weeks, with his sons stepping up their efforts to gets him appropriate health carer. It’s notable that Pakistan’s Supreme Count ordered him to be admitted to Shifa Hospital in the Islamabad capital.

Last week, including Atherton, 21 former captains wrote the letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, as they urged him to ensure that Imran gets the proper treatment in the prison. The letter included the captains of Australia, West Indies, England, and New Zealand.

See Also: Watch: Salman Agha's superb one-handed catch dismisses Jordan Cox for 55 in ENG vs PAK 2nd Test

Ultimately, Pakistan took the field. The Pakistan government rejected the allegations that Khan had been mistreated in the prison or denied the contract with his family and lawyers in a statement.

Abbas and Ali strike back — How Pakistan finished Day 1 at Lord's

England finished the opening day’s play of the Lord’s Test with 248 runs on the board for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs with Jordan Cox smashing a fine 55 runs in a fine partnership with Jamie Smith, who clubbed 61 runs off 80 deliveries, thanks to 10 boundaries.

Jofra Archer was the last man to be dismissed on the opening day as Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 34 runs off 27 balls with five boundaries and would hope to add many runs as he could at the start of the second day.

Mohammad Abbas returned with figures of 4/56 in his 14 overs while Mohammad Ali had 3/67 in 17 overs, including the two wickets he picked in one over towards the end of the day’s play.

Brief Scores: England 248/9 (Jamie Smith 61, Jordan Cox 55, Mohammad Abbas 4/56) vs Pakistan.