Former England captains and Sky Sports commentators Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain have reportedly pulled out of travelling to Pakistan for the upcoming ODI tri-series featuring Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka.
According to a post on X, both applied for Pakistani visas. Hussain received his visa the following day, while Atherton is still waiting for his. Both have now decided not to travel to Pakistan for the series.
Some reports on social media also said the pair had decided not to travel for personal reasons. Neither commentator has publicly commented on the matter.
Missing From the PCB Commentary Panel
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a six-member commentary panel for the tri-series, which runs from October 18 to 31. Atherton and Hussain were not on the list, and the board did not give any reason for their absence.
The panel includes former Pakistan cricketers Waqar Younis, Aamir Sohail, Bazid Khan, and Urooj Mumtaz, along with Sri Lanka’s Roshan Abeysinghe and England’s Mark Butcher. Zainab Abbas will be the presenter.
Waqar will join the commentary team from the second match, when Pakistan face England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20.
Both Atherton and Hussain were part of the commentary panel when England last toured Pakistan for a three-match Test series in October 2024.
Imran Khan Interview Row
The development comes after a controversy in August 2026. During the Lord’s Test between England and Pakistan, Sky Sports aired an 18-minute interview with former prime minister Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman Khan.
The interview was conducted by Atherton. In it, Imran Khan’s sons raised serious concerns about their father’s health in prison.
The PCB objected to the political nature of the broadcast and filed a formal complaint against Sky Sports. Sky still aired the interview, though it was not shown in Pakistan by state broadcaster PTV.
Atherton later discussed the issue on a podcast with Hussain and defended his role in the interview.
Tri-Series Schedule
The tri-series begins on Sunday, October 18, with Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s squad assembled in Rawalpindi earlier this week ahead of the opener.
England and Sri Lanka will meet in Rawalpindi on October 22. The tournament will then move to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the remaining three league-stage matches on October 25, 27, and 29.
The top two teams will qualify for the final, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
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