PCB cancels contract with PSL’s media rights holder

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that it has terminated the contract of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 international media rights partner following a series of breaches, including matters relating to payments, a press release showed.

Techfront International FZE had secured the PSL’s international media rights for the period during 2019-2021, but due to a series of contractual violations, the PCB has terminated the agreement.

PSL Project Executive Shoaib Naveed said that the PCB works professionally and with integrity and transparency. In this instance, the partner, despite repeated reminders and discussions, failed to honour its commitment and obligations, leaving the PCB with no other option but to terminate the agreement, he added further.

The move to withdraw and terminate the agreement was also important and the need of the hour and provides the PCB with sufficient time to start exploiting other avenues and partners for the future HBL Pakistan Super League events.

Since its inception in 2016, the HBL PSL has become one of the most attractive and competitive leagues around the world.
“The PCB is already in discussions with various sub-licensees and relevant broadcasters in the international territories. The process is already underway to ensure a robust media rights strategy for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2021 and onwards,” added the press release.

The PCB reserves its rights in terms of claiming appropriate remedies and damages, and will be taking strictest possible measures to ensure and safeguard the league’s interests as well as its valuable stakeholders.

The 2020 PSL finals had to be cancelled after the outbreak of Covid-19 and players had to be quarantined. However, the PCB has planned to hold final matches by the end of this year to bring the series to an end.

The board had also returned the funds to the fans who had bought advance tickets.