In a mark of protest against the Pulwama terror attack, IMG-Reliance on Sunday announced its withdrawal as official production partner from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a Twenty20 cricket tournament.
In the mail written to Sohaib Sheikh, General Manager Marketing & Sales PCB and PSL, and Kamil Khan General Manager Marketing, Digital Media and Sports Production at Pakistan Cricket Board, IMG Reliance wrote: “Due to unfortunate events a couple of days back which resulted in the death of Indian soldiers, IMG Reliance is pulling out with immediate effects, from offering broadcast production services for PSL.”
IMG-Reliance was to look after the live coverage of matches by providing manpower and other infrastructural support for broadcast through different TV channels in different nations.
In India, PSL was being aired on DSport, an Indian television channel launched by Discovery Asia-Pacific on February 6, 2017.
“IMG-Reliance is of the belief that after such terror attacks it can’t operate its commercial activities in Pakistan,” he said.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later issued a statement to the effect and stated they are likely to name a new producer on Monday (February 18). “We have been informed by IMG Reliance that they will be unable to partner with us for the remaining HBL PSL 2019 and PCB has reserved all its rights. The PCB always had a contingency plan in place, and we are confident we will be in a position to announce the new partner on Monday after the completion of the formalities,” said PCB’s Managing Director Wasim Khan in the statement.
Founded in Lahore on September 9, 2015, PSL is a Twenty20 cricket league comprising six teams.
