By Urdu Report Editorial Team
The Pakistan cricket team is set to meet King Charles at Clarence House gardens later this week, despite a recent controversy involving an interview with Imran Khan’s sons.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday that the meeting had been planned before the Test series began. The Pakistan team will meet the King during the break between the second and third Tests being played in England.
Meeting with the Pakistan team
King Charles will welcome Pakistan’s men’s Test cricket team in his capacity as Head of the Commonwealth.
According to the statement, the meeting will take place at the gardens of Clarence House during the summer Test series. Reports suggest the King is expected to spend around 15 minutes with the team.
The meeting comes amid controversy over an interview involving Sulaiman and Qasim Khan, the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
Controversy over Imran Khan’s sons’ interview
During the lunch break on the first day of the second Test at Lord’s, Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Sulaiman and Qasim Khan.
Imran Khan has been imprisoned for the past three years over corruption allegations. He has denied the allegations against him.
Before the interview was broadcast, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had threatened not to continue the Lord’s Test and had also warned that the remaining matches of the three-Test series could be cancelled.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also sought advice from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the matter.
Despite the controversy, Pakistan returned to the field after lunch on the first day of the second Test according to the scheduled programme.
What Imran Khan’s sons said
During the interview, Sulaiman and Qasim expressed concerns about their father’s treatment and the security arrangements provided to him.
They also criticised the response of the UK government.
Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed later said that he and the team had not been aware of the interview.
“I know nothing. My entire focus is on the match,” Sarfaraz said.
He added that the team had no knowledge of the interview when asked about the controversy.
Earlier appeal to King Charles
In December 2025, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan had appealed to King Charles, in his role as Head of the Commonwealth, to speak out over the situation.
According to The Times, Aleema argued that Pakistan is a Commonwealth member state and referred to the organisation’s principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights.
Pakistan’s cricket schedule
England is also scheduled to visit Pakistan in October for a one-day tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The tour will come amid security concerns in Pakistan. It will be England’s fourth visit to the country in the past four years after a 17-year gap between tours.
