Pakistan’s cricket team captain, Babar Azam, and Muhammad Rizwan have resisted tempting offers from illicit betting organizations, even as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) engaged in partnerships with betting companies.
The PCB accepted sponsorship from Dafa News, a surrogate betting sponsor, which is alleged to have facilitated the proliferation of over 150 illegal proxy betting websites and apps in Pakistan via digital platforms. This move is seen as violating regulations.
In response to this, some Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have reportedly pressured players to individually endorse these unlawful betting companies’ logos on their shirts and grant image rights.
Babar Azam is said to have declined a significant annual contract worth Rs250 million, while Muhammad Rizwan turned down a Rs100 million yearly contract from a single proxy betting firm, both expressing their opposition to sponsorships and contracts that violate the law.
It is reported that surrogate betting companies entered Pakistan through cricket around 2021, with four out of the six PSL franchises having betting surrogates as key sponsors as of PSL 2023. The government has initiated a crackdown on over 150 surrogate betting companies operating in Pakistan, resulting in significant economic losses. However, despite the government’s notification issued more than a month ago, these betting applications continue to operate without apparent action from the authorities.
Sri Lanka sacks cricket board days after World Cup thrashing
Meanwhile, after a significant loss to India in the World Cup, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has decided to dismiss the national cricket board. This move comes after months of conflict between Ranasinghe and Sri Lanka Cricket, the country’s wealthiest sports organization, over allegations of extensive corruption.
As part of this decision, Arjuna Ranatunga, who captained Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup, has been appointed as the chairman of a new interim board, according to a statement from Ranasinghe’s office. The statement explained, “Sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe has formed an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket.”
Previously, Ranasinghe had written to the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has rules against political interference in the sport, seeking their understanding and support.
In his letters, which were released to Sri Lankan media, Ranasinghe cited numerous complaints against Sri Lanka Cricket, including player disciplinary issues, management corruption, financial misconduct, and match-fixing allegations.
