Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed declines comment on Sky Sports interview with Imran Khan’s sons

Pakistan Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Sky Sports’ interview with the sons of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan after the opening day of the second Test against England.

Asked about the issue, Sarfaraz repeatedly responded, “No, no, no, no,” and moved on without taking questions on the matter.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports over the 18-minute interview conducted by former England captain and broadcaster Mike Atherton with Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, during Thursday’s lunch break.

According to reports, the PCB had considered keeping Pakistan’s players off the field after the interval as a mark of protest but ultimately decided to submit a written complaint. The board also considered taking up the matter with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

During the interview, Imran Khan’s sons spoke about their father’s health and conditions in prison, saying they feared for his life. The 73-year-old former prime minister has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has spent extended periods in solitary confinement at Adiala Jail.

Khan’s family has alleged that his health has deteriorated, including significant loss of vision, while the Pakistan government has denied the claims.

The interview came days after 22 former international captains, including Atherton and Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking proper medical care for Khan.

Pakistan Television (PTV), which holds the broadcasting rights in Pakistan, did not air the Sky Sports interview. Sky Sports confirmed that it had received the PCB’s complaint but declined to comment further.

Sarfaraz took over as Pakistan’s Test head coach earlier this year after the position had remained vacant since October 2025.