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04/12/2024 22:00
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
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Pakistan Cricket Board Members. Source: x.com

High Court Bans PCB and PSL from Betting Sponsorships

A recent ruling by the Peshawar High Court has prohibited the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) from entering into sponsorship agreements with betting companies. The decision came after a petition was filed, challenging the involvement of gambling brands in cricket sponsorships.

Sponsorships with gambling companies are common in global sports leagues, helping operators reach new markets. However, these sponsorships can sometimes target regions where betting is illegal, creating legal and ethical issues. In Pakistan, gambling is strictly prohibited, but betting logos from international operators were seen on the uniforms of PSL players and the national cricket team, sparking controversy.

Resident Syed Muhammad Tanseer Ahmad Sherazi filed a petition against these sponsorships, arguing that companies like MelBAT, 1xBat, and BJ Sports were using proxy entities to bypass the country's gambling ban. Sherazi's attorney, Nouman Muhib Kakakhel, pointed out that these operators managed to reach Pakistani audiences through their partnerships with the PSL and PCB, even promoting their services to minors. Kakakhel also revealed that local financial services were being used to facilitate sports betting, and gambling apps were readily available on both iOS and Android devices.

Following the petition, the Peshawar High Court, led by Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmad, ruled in favour of banning all gambling sponsorships with the PCB and PSL. The court found that betting companies were disguising themselves as sports news providers to reach audiences in Pakistan.

The controversy isn’t limited to legal battles—some players have also shown discomfort with the partnerships. Muhammad Rizwan, a well-known PSL cricketer, notably covered a betting logo on his jersey with tape during a match.

This situation in Pakistan mirrors similar actions taken in other sports, such as football in the United Kingdom, where the English Premier League will enforce a voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships starting from the 2026-2027 season.

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