Pakistan will have an audience with King Charles this week, days after a threat to cancel their tour of England emerged following a controversial interview with the sons of Imran Khan. During lunch on day one of the second Test at Lord's, Sky Sports aired an interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan, the sons of the former Pakistan captain and prime minister. Imran Khan has been in prison for the past three years on corruption charges, which he denies. Before the interview aired, the Pakistan Cricket Board raised the prospect of not resuming the second Test and cancelling the remainder of the three-match series. The England and Wales Cricket Board took government advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the King is expected to meet the tourists later this week in an engagement planned before the series began. "His Majesty the King, as Head of the Commonwealth, will receive the Pakistan Men's Test Cricket Team for an audience in the gardens of Clarence House," said a statement. It is understood His Majesty will spend around 15 minutes with the Pakistan team.

Despite the controversy, the Pakistan team returned to the field as scheduled. Pakistan coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said he and his team did not know about the interview. Speaking at the conclusion of the second Test, Pakistan captain Babar Azam denied there was ever a real threat of not playing, describing the story as "rumours".