A fresh controversy has erupted right at the start of the triangular cricket series involving Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka. The Pakistan Cricket Board has removed veteran former cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton from its commentary panel. The newly announced six-member commentary team notably left out both Hussain and Atherton, triggering widespread debate across the sporting fraternity.
This entire disciplinary move stems from an interview broadcast earlier this year when the Pakistani team toured England. Sky Sports aired an exclusive interview conducted by Michael Atherton featuring Qasim and Suleiman Khan, the sons of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Interestingly, when the English team visited Pakistan in 2024, both Hussain and Atherton were part of the commentary lineup, but the subsequent interview has now cost them their places on the panel.
Broadcasting Clash During the Lord's Test Match
The controversial interview anchored by Michael Atherton was aired during the lunch break of a Lord's Test match. Upon learning of the broadcast, the Pakistan Cricket Board registered a strong protest and even threatened that Pakistani players would refuse to take the field after the lunch interval if it went ahead. Despite the stiff resistance and warnings from the board, Sky Sports proceeded with the broadcast, though Pakistan's state-owned broadcaster PTV refrained from airing it within the country.
Serious Allegations Levelled Against the Government
During the interview aired on Sky Sports, Qasim and Suleiman made damning accusations against the Pakistani administration and government machinery. They alleged that authorities were plotting to eliminate their father, Imran Khan, inside prison and were actively trying to take his life. The two brothers further claimed that the former Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain spends more than 23 hours a day alone in a tiny cell. They also alleged that Pakistani officials deliberately denied them visas on technical grounds to prevent them from visiting their father.
