Government active after PCB partners with betting website for PSL 7

A sub-company of a betting website is involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a sponsor and the government of Pakistan has become active over a potential threat to the reputation of the country and the game.

While talking to this correspondent, Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination of Pakistan, Fehmida Mirza has asked Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take notice as betting can't be accepted on PSL matches.

According to details, 'Dafa News' is one of the sponsors in the Pakistan Super League. A logo of this company is also being painted on the ground and boundary advertisements are also being placed.

After the research of Express correspondent, it is the sub-company of a foreign betting website "Dafabet".

A betting link was also on the first page of the website till yesterday where users can bet on PSL matches. Express has tried to seek PCB's stance on this but there has not been any correspondence. Media Director Samiul Hasan Burney agreed to respond but he has not.

Meanwhile, Dafa News has removed the betting window from the main page but the option is still there if one clicks on the social media links.

"Betting can not be acceptable during the PSL matches as it damages the reputation of the game in the country," Fehmida said.

"If there will be bets on PSL matches, it would be hard to stop the players from the trend of getting involved in fixing too. PCB must take action earnestly to stop these incidents," she added.

Remember, earlier in 2021, a betting company 'Sky247' was part of the sponsors of the home series with a slight renaming. The Karachi Test between Pakistan and South Africa was also streamed live on the betting website. It was stopped by the PCB after Express pointed out.