PCB Imposes Fresh Restriction On Pakistan Players Over Imran Khan Row

PCB gags Pakistan players over Imran Khan row in England [Source: AFP]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a fresh set of restrictions on the Pakistani players amid the controversy surrounding legendary allrounder Imran Khan. 

Just a couple of days ago, the PCB also reportedly issued a warning to the SKY Sports after the network aired an interview with Imran’s sons. Both Kassim and Suleman Khan spoke with prominent England commentator Mike Atherton and narrated their father’s ordeal on live television between sessions.

It is worth noting that the 73-year-old is currently in a Pakistani prison for his involvement in corruption cases. However, several cricket fans in Pakistan are of the opinion that Imran’s imprisonment was “politically motivated”.

PCB warns Babar Azam and co. as support grows for Imran Khan

Currently in England for a three-match Test series, the Pakistan players have been advised not to make any statement regarding former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan amidst his deteriorating health in jail.

As reported by the PTI, the PCB has told the current Pakistan cricket team in England not to make any statement regarding the cricketer-turned-politician. 

The notice was issued shortly after several members of the British media attempted to bait some Pakistani cricketers involved in the Test series to speak about Imran’s imprisonment and his deteriorating health condition. 

However, despite SKY Sports airing the controversial interview, the board has allowed the players to proceed with the series to maintain Pakistan's political relations with the United Kingdom. 

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The development also occurred at a time when support for Imran Khan has been growing rapidly worldwide, with fans and former cricketers alike voicing their concern over his mistreatment.

Just this week, former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad broke down on camera during an interview in which he urged the Pakistani government to release the legendary World Cup-winning skipper from prison.

Australian captain Pat Cummins also voiced his support for the Pakistani icon, joining the likes of Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Alastair Cook, Arjuna Ranatunga, Andrew Strauss, and Dilip Vengsarkar, among many others, who have signed a petition in a bid to secure proper treatment for Imran. 

Imran Khan’s health deteriorates in prison

Imprisoned at Adiala Jail since mid-2023 for his involvement in corruption cases, Imran Khan’s health has been deteriorating of late. 

A few weeks ago, the Pakistan Supreme Court ordered his transfer to the Shifa ‌International Hospital in Islamabad. According to reports, the former cricketer lost sight in his right eye while in prison. However, the Rawalpindi jail authorities submitted a report claiming that his eyesight is “almost normal”.

Is PCB right or wrong regarding Imran Khan?

Despite being a prominent World Cup-winning cricketer and a notable politician, Imran Khan has barely received any support from Pakistan cricket circles and from the PCB officials. 

One can assume that the presence of Mohsin Naqvi as PCB’s current chairman has much to do with that matter, considering he is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and is close to the current Pakistani regime.

While the PCB is certainly on the wrong side of the argument here, the bigger question is whether the board should be silencing its players on an issue that has now attracted widespread attention across the global cricketing fraternity.

Moreover, the Pakistani board also seems to be going out of its way to silence people from other countries from speaking on the matter. For instance, the PCB recently issued a warning to the Sky Sports network for merely airing an interview with the sons of Imran Khan. 

This is not the first instance of Pakistani cricket getting caught up in a political crossfire. Just last year during the 2025 Asia Cup, several members of the Pakistan team like Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf made provocative gestures against India in light of the 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack and the resultant Operation Sindoor.

Moreover, PCB chairman and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi also walked out of the podium without handing over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy to the Indian team, thus grabbing the attention for the wrong reasons. 

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