PCB clarifies stance on contract with Khaleef Technologies

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified its stance on contract with Khaleef Technologies, in relation to Wireless Mobile Telephony & SMS Rights, digital clip rights, Fantasy League Platform and App Development rights for the Pakistan Super League.

The PCB had reached an out-of-court settlement with Khaleef Technologies despite terminating their contract last year, following severe breaches.

Before the contract was terminated, a website by the name of ‘Cricingif’, owned by Khaleef Techonologies, used to show the highlights of PSL matches on digital platforms. According to media reports during that time, Khaleef Technologies had gone bankrupt. But surprisingly, the aforementioned rights for this year’s PSL were again given to Khaleef Technologies, who used their own website and mobile app by the name of ‘Cricwick’ to display the highlights of PSL matches.

PCB’s Director Media Samiul Hasan Burney, when approached about the matter, said that the board made full financial recoveries as part of the settlement.

“Khaleef approached the PCB seeking an amicable out-of-court settlement of the matter and proposed terms for acceptance by the PCB, which included reinstatement of certain rights by way of a duly executed settlement agreement,” said Burney. 

“Pursuant to length negotiations and after due consideration of the final offer from Khaleef, it was determined that the offer made by Khaleef allowed PCB to make full financial recoveries of the outstanding amounts as envisaged in the original contracts while also being able to retain the clip rights for PSL 2021 and exploit them as deemed fit,” he added.

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Burney also stated that this was the best possible outcome bearing in mind the financial strain caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Keeping in view the prevalent market situation which has been adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic; and in an effort to avoid protracted legal proceedings for recovery which would incur additional associated legal costs, time and resources, it was decided by competent authorities that the settlement offer from Khaleef be accepted, given that PSL 2021 was scheduled to commence shortly and the settlement represented the most commercially and financially viable option in the circumstances which was also in the best interests of the tournament,” he concluded.