PCB snubs Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain after Imran Khan interview controversy

Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain (Agency Image)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named a six-member commentary panel for the men’s ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played from October 18 to 31, with prominent English commentators Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain missing from the line-up.The omission comes two months after the duo interviewed Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, sons of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan, during the Lord’s Test between England and Pakistan in August 2026. The PCB has not provided any reason for their absence from the upcoming assignment.Atherton and Hussain are among the most prominent voices in international cricket commentary and were part of the broadcast team when England last toured Pakistan for a three-match Test series in October 2024.The interview with Imran Khan’s sons, conducted by Atherton and aired by Sky Sports, lasted 18 minutes and raised concerns over the former Pakistan captain’s deteriorating health in prison. Kasim and Sulaiman alleged that the authorities were ‘blatantly trying to kill him’ through neglect and isolation.The broadcast triggered a strong reaction from the PCB, which objected to what it considered the political nature of the segment and filed a formal complaint with Sky Sports. The situation reportedly intensified to the point that the board threatened a player walkout, with Pakistan considering staying off the field for the afternoon session in protest.Sky Sports went ahead with the interview despite the pressure, although Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV censored the segment. Atherton subsequently addressed the controversy on a podcast with Hussain, defending his involvement and saying the Pakistani state was attempting to ‘airbrush Imran almost out of existence’.For the upcoming tri-series, the commentary line-up features former Pakistan internationals Waqar Younis, Aamir Sohail, Bazid Khan and Urooj Mumtaz, alongside Sri Lanka’s Roshan Abeysinghe and England’s Mark Butcher. Zainab Abbas will serve as the presenter.Younis will join the panel from the second fixture, when Pakistan meet England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20. The tournament opens on Sunday, October 18, with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.