Babar Azam has denied stories that Pakistan thought of refusing to return to the sector after lunch on the opening day of the Lord’s Take a look at towards England, amid a dispute over a Sky Sports activities interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
Talking after Pakistan’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s on Sunday, Babar mentioned he had no information of any dialogue inside the group about staying off the sector following the lunch break.
“No, no, no. I have not heard that factor,” Babar instructed BBC Take a look at Match Particular.
When requested once more if he was conscious of such conversations, the Pakistan captain merely replied, “No.”
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Babar denies stories of Pakistan protest
Reviews had claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had thought of the opportunity of the group not returning for the afternoon session if Sky Sports activities went forward with its deliberate interview with Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of Imran Khan.
The interview, offered by former England captain Michael Atherton, ultimately went forward through the lunch interval on the primary day.
The 18-minute programme centred on the considerations raised by Imran Khan’s sons over their father’s therapy, well being and circumstances whereas he stays in jail.
Additionally Learn: Imran Khan’s journey from World Cup hero to Pakistan PM and prisoner- The total story
Regardless of the reported rigidity surrounding the printed, Pakistan returned to the sector as scheduled and there was no interruption to the Take a look at.
Babar’s feedback are additionally in step with these made earlier by Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, who mentioned neither he nor the gamers had been conscious of any reported risk to cease the match from persevering with.
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PCB reportedly points warning to gamers
The controversy surrounding the interview got here towards the backdrop of stories that the PCB, led by Mohsin Naqvi, had instructed Pakistan gamers to not make political feedback whereas on the UK tour.
The reported directive adopted the controversy involving Imran Khan and the deliberate Sky Sports activities interview together with his sons.
Nevertheless, the off-field dispute didn’t have any influence on the eventual end result of the Lord’s Take a look at.
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England seal sequence at Lord’s
England accomplished a convincing 194-run victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead within the three-Take a look at sequence.
Pakistan had been set 389 to win however had been bowled out for 194, with Saud Shakeel ending on 97 and lacking out on a century by simply three runs.
Pakistan had been additionally with out opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was unable to bat once more after struggling a calf damage whereas fielding on the opening day.
The victory ended England’s anticipate a Take a look at sequence win, with their earlier sequence triumph coming in December 2024.
The groups will now head to Birmingham for the third and closing Take a look at at Edgbaston, beginning on September 9.