Babar Azam: Pakistan captain refuses to endorse betting firm in Lanka Premier League 2023

Ahead of the Lanka Premier League 2023, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has taken a principled stance by refusing to wear and endorse the logo of a betting firm, despite the prevalence of such sponsorships in the Pakistan Super League.

A source close to the player told PTI that Babar included a clause in his contract for the LPL, stating that he would not promote betting firms or wear their logos.

"Most of the Pakistani players are telling franchise owners and league organizers they don't want to be associated with wearing logos and endorsing them if they belong to any betting company including through surrogate advertising," revealed the source.

This move by Babar follows a similar stand taken by senior player Mohammad Rizwan, who refused to wear a logo of a betting company during the Pakistan Super League.

Interestingly, while Pakistani players are making a statement against surrogate advertising by betting companies, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and some PSL franchises had sponsorship deals with such companies in the previous edition, with players sporting their logos on their jerseys.

In the case of Babar Azam, he firmly declined the Colombo Strikers franchise's request to wear a betting firm's logo.

Babar is expected to lead the Colombo Strikers during the Lanka Premier League, scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 22. He is likely to remain in Sri Lanka following a two-test series to fulfill his commitments with the Colombo franchise.

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