![Babar Azam exposes PCB's hollow threat to England [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788154415509_BabarAzamexposesPCB.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam exposes PCB's hollow threat to England [Source: AFP]
The Pakistan Cricket Board had threatened to delay or abandon the England vs Pakistan second Test at Lord's on Day 1 after Sky Sports decided to release an interview with Imran Khan's sons.
The threat of a boycott, reportedly led by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, ultimately turned out to be hollow, as neither a delay nor an abandonment of the match took place.
Now, after the second Test concluded, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has revealed exactly what went on in the dressing room and what his team's sentiments were regarding the possibility of staying off the field after lunch on Day 1 of the match.
Babar Azam reveals real truth behind Imran Khan boycott threat
While speaking at a post-match press conference after Pakistan's 194-run defeat to England on Sunday, Babar shared that the team was unaware of any discussion within the dressing room about refusing to resume play.
This becomes especially significant because the PCB had claimed that if Sky Sports went ahead with the second half of the interview after the initial release, there was a possibility that the team might not return for the afternoon session on Day 1 itself.
“No, no, no. I haven't heard that thing,” Babar told BBC Test Match Special after the end of the Lord's Test.
When he was further asked whether he was aware of any such conversations, Babar Azam said, “No.”
Watch the video below:
In fact, Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed also made a similar revelation regarding the proposed boycott, denying that there had been any communication or information from the PCB instructing the team not to resume the match after lunch.
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How England reacted to the threat from Mohsin Naqvi?
Following the threat from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, the England cricket team reportedly contacted the English government, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould speaking to officials at the UK Foreign Office.
Help was sought by the English board on Day 1 to seek diplomatic assistance in case the PCB carried out its threat not to resume the game.
Given Naqvi's position as PCB chairman as well as Pakistan's Interior Minister, the threat was considered serious enough for England to take precautions.
Has Babar Azam taken a different stance from PCB earlier?
While Babar has generally maintained a professional distance from board politics and management issues within the PCB, some incidents involving him have exposed internal issues at the board and, in the process, strengthened Babar's public image.
In 2023, during the World Cup, rumours circulated that then-PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf was ignoring Babar's phone calls and text messages.
In an attempt to defend himself, Ashraf shared a private WhatsApp screenshot, which raised questions over the ethical boundaries within the board's top leadership and sparked a public backlash.
In the same year, an audio recording involving Babar was leaked after he stepped down from his all-format captaincy. The recording, reportedly leaked by Zaka Ashraf, featured discussions about moves to remove Babar from leadership and plans to appoint Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi as captains.
Nevertheless, Babar Azam's candid admission that he had no information about any potential boycott over the Imran Khan interview has once again put the spotlight on the PCB's handling of the situation.
His lack of knowledge about such a significant decision could be seen as an indication of the disconnect between the board and the players, while the reported boycott threat ultimately fell flat as Pakistan continued to play against England at Lord's.
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