Pakistan’s Test cricket team is expected to meet King Charles III in London this week, with the engagement scheduled to take place at the gardens of Clarence House.
According to Buckingham Palace, the meeting was arranged in advance and is part of the King’s existing schedule. The Palace has clarified that the engagement is unrelated to the recent controversy surrounding Pakistan’s cricket tour of England.
Meeting Scheduled at Clarence House
King Charles is expected to meet members of the Pakistan team at Clarence House, with the engagement scheduled to last around 15 minutes.
The meeting comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had recently expressed concerns about continuing the England series following an interview involving Sulaiman and Qasim Khan, the sons of former Pakistan captain and ex-prime minister Imran Khan.
PCB Had Raised Concerns Over Test Series
The interview was broadcast by Sky Sports during the lunch break on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s.
Following the development, the PCB had raised the possibility of not resuming the second Test and potentially withdrawing from the three-match series. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) subsequently sought guidance from the relevant British government authorities on the matter.
Buckingham Palace, however, said the Pakistan team’s meeting with King Charles was a pre-arranged engagement and had no connection with the controversy surrounding the cricket series.
Pakistan’s Historic Cricket Connection With King Charles
Imran Khan, who led Pakistan during parts of his 21-year international cricket career, guided the national team to its historic 1992 World Cup triumph, when Pakistan defeated England in the final.
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