The PCB states, “This matter falls under the purview of the ICC and the PCB’s legal department, as I do not have access to this information.”
In a recent development, Muhammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper of the Pakistan Cricket team, faced significant pressure and was urged by the Pakistan Cricket Board to remove a tweet where he dedicated the team’s historic victory against Sri Lanka to the Palestinians facing challenges in Israel.
Following this incident, a spokesperson from the Pakistan Cricket Board commented, “The International Cricket Council and the PCB’s legal department are the appropriate authorities to address this matter as I am not privy to this information.”
Rizwan’s tweet, made on October 11th, a day after his remarkable unbeaten score of 131 in the highest run chase ever in Cricket World Cup history, read, “This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute to the win.” Additionally, a member of the Pakistan cricket team, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that the PCB, under pressure from the ICC and BCCI, had requested Rizwan to delete his tweet dedicating Pakistan’s win against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 to the people of Gaza. Nevertheless, Rizwan refused to remove his tweet.
Furthermore, despite the PCB’s collaboration with surrogate betting companies in Pakistan, including their partnership with Dafa News, it has come to light that Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam, along with Muhammad Rizwan, declined substantial offers from illegal betting companies. Emails in possession of The News reveal this.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s acceptance of sponsorship from surrogate betting sponsors like Dafa News allegedly facilitated the operation of more than 150 illegal surrogate betting sites and apps in Pakistan, in violation of regulations. Some PSL franchises reportedly compelled players to accept shirt logos and provide image rights to these illegal betting companies.
A source from one of the betting companies disclosed that Babar Azam turned down a yearly contract worth 250 million rupees. In comparison, Muhammad Rizwan declined a 100 million rupees yearly contract from a surrogate betting company because such sponsorships and contracts were against the law.
It’s worth mentioning that during the last PSL tournament, Muhammad Rizwan, the captain of Multan Sultans, refused to wear the WOLF777 logo on his kit.
Emails sent to both Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan by 1XBET betting company indicated their interest in collaborating with the players. However, responses from Saya Corporation, responsible for their individual sponsorships, investments, and advertising, stated, “Thank you. As Muslims, we do not support any betting or surrogate betting brands. Thank you for reaching out.” These emails are also available with The News.
The source further revealed that the PCB had granted the image rights of Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan to these betting companies against their wishes. The source also provided evidence of digital media ads by 1XBET using their images without consent, allegedly under the blanket image rights approval granted to the surrogate betting companies due to their sponsorship of the PCB, PSL, and some PSL franchises.
Despite clear refusals from Babar and Rizwan, the PCB and PSL franchises reportedly provided their image rights to these companies, raising concerns about the players’ freedom of speech and rights.
The PCB’s code of conduct and rules explicitly prohibit support for activities associated with betting, gambling, and related areas. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also issued a notification categorizing Dafa News as a surrogate betting company operating in Pakistan.
The government has initiated a crackdown on more than 150 surrogate betting companies operating in Pakistan, causing significant economic losses. However, as of now, no action has been taken by the authorities to curb their operations, despite the united efforts of various institutions, including the military establishment, to eliminate these betting companies.
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