NEW DELHI, Dec 11: India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan was on Thursday restrained by a court from signing up with tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi’s sports company after objections were raised by his earlier managers.

Zaheer had tied up with Bhupathi’s firm after his contract with his company expired in September.

The company moved the court to restrain the left-arm fast bowler from going to another organization, saying it had the first right of refusal as per the agreement with the cricketer.

The Press Trust of India reported that judge D.G. Karnik accepted the company’s plea after rejecting arguments by Bhupati’s lawyers that it was “not valid by law” to stop Zaheer from signing up with a new company once the old agreement had expired.

There was no immediate reaction from Zaheer’s lawyers or Bhupathi, who shot to fame by partnering compatriot Leander Paes to three Grand Slam doubles titles.—AFP