Some governments fear elections. Others fear protests, judges, journalists or students. Pakistan’s rulers have reached a more exquisite stage of political insecurity: they appear frightened by a lunch break at a cricket match. At Lord’s, the absurdity was almost too perfect.

Michael Atherton interviewed Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, the sons of Imran Khan, about their father’s health, restricted family contact and treatment in prison. Sky Sports broadcast it. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complained and reportedly even considered keeping Pakistan’s players from returning to the field after lunch.

Michael Atherton interviewed Kasim and Sulaiman Khan, the sons of Imran Khan, about their father’s health, restricted family contact and treatment in prison. Sky Sports broadcast it. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) complained and reportedly even considered keeping Pakistan’s players from returning to the field after lunch.

Nothing says “stable state” quite like threatening a Test match because two sons spoke about their seventy-three-year-old father. That reaction told us more than the interview did. A government confident in its conduct would answer with evidence: independent doctors, unhindered family contact, compliance with court orders, transparent medical records. Instead, the outrage was aimed at the broadcaster. When power fears the microphone more than the allegation, the microphone is not the problem.

The hypocrisy is exquisite. Pakistan’s establishment has never objected to politics in cricket when cricket serves nationalism, diplomatic theatre, military prestige or official propaganda.

The hypocrisy is exquisite. Pakistan’s establishment has........

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