‘Has to be a joke’: Pakistan-born cricketer hits out at PCB amid Imran Khan row | Cricket News
Former Australia cricketer Usman Khawaja has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after it complained to a British broadcaster for an interview with the sons of former Pakistan Prime Minister and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan.Khawaja, who was born in Islamabad, reacted after reports claimed the Pakistan team had threatened to boycott the second Test against England if the broadcaster aired the interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim.The interview was eventually broadcasted, although later than originally scheduled, and Pakistan returned to the field.The PCB lodged a complaint with Sky Sports over the broadcast. Khawaja responded to a social media post about the complaint, writing: “This has got to be a joke”.Imran Khan, 73, has been in jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 after being convicted on corruption charges. Earlier this week, he underwent a medical examination in Islamabad before being taken back to prison.His sons have raised concerns about his safety and alleged that attempts are being made on his life.Khawaja’s former Australia teammate Pat Cummins also spoke about the issue, saying Imran’s family should be allowed access to him.Cummins backed former Australia captain Greg Chappell and 20 other former international captains who recently appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure proper medical care and humane treatment for Imran.Cummins said he hopes the court-ordered medical assessment is completed and that family visits continue. He also called for Imran to be treated with dignity in a post on X while sharing a video of Chappell expressing concern over the former Pakistan captain’s health.Cummins became one of the first active international cricketers to publicly support calls for Imran’s medical care after 21 former captains, including India’s Sunil Gavaskar, signed the letter to the Pakistan Prime Minister.Before entering politics, Imran Khan led Pakistan to its first and only ODI World Cup title in 1992 and remains one of the country’s most recognised cricket figures.
