PSL 2020: PCB receives formal apology from media rights partner over live streaming controversy

The 2020 edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) ended in a very unlikely way. No clear champions were declared as the tournament was called off due to the outbreak of COVID-19. After 30 league matches, only three matches were left when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were forced to cancel the tournament. But, a fresh controversy has again come to light regarding the PSL.

Recently, PCB received a formal apology from the media rights partner of the tournament. Apparently, the media right partners allowed the betting website from the United Kingdom named Bet 365 to live-stream the matches of the PSL 2020. This was done without taking any clearance from PCB. A close source recently revealed the details of the situation.

PCB informed the betting company about the mistake

“The fact is that PCB became aware that the PSL matches were being live-streamed by Bet 365 on its website as soon as the league started on 20th February. Later on, the media rights partner also sent an email to the PCB apologising for their mistake and admitted they were at fault in the entire issue,” the source was quoted as saying by Times of India.

It was around 23rd or 24th February that the PCB found out about this and wrote a letter to the media rights company. The letter clearly stated that the media rights company was going against the rules laid down by the board. The PCB, in the first week of March, wrote directly to the betting company and the live-streaming of the matches were called off.

“The PCB informed the betting company that it was given live streaming rights without its (PCB’s) knowledge which was a must under the contract they had with their media rights partner. The impression created in the media that the PCB was unaware of the live streaming of PSL matches by a betting site was incorrect,” the source further added.

The issue got highlighted much more because betting or gambling of any form is completely banned in Pakistan. The PCB warned the media rights company and Bet 365 to stop the live streaming else it would take proper action on them. This is was prompted by the two companies to end the association.