DUBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday that IMG Reliance had refused to telecast matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League from Monday onwards.

The announcement of the new broadcast partner is likely to be made on Monday following the signing of a fresh agreement.

“We have been informed by IMG Reliance that they will be unable to partner with us for the remaining PSL season 4 games 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 formalities,” Wasim Khan, the PCB’s managing director, said in a statement.

Mr Khan added: “The PCB has also noted the recent turn of events and expresses its extreme disappointment as we have always believed and emphasised that sports and politics should be kept apart. History tells us that sports, particularly cricket, have always played a key role in building bridges between people and countries.

“Unfortunately, denying Indian cricket fans the right to follow the PSL by blocking all digital coverage as well as covering or removing the portrait of former Pakistan cricket captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan and other legendary cricketers from one of the most historic cricket clubs and venues are highly regrettable actions.

“The PCB intends to take up these incidents with the BCCI at the ICC meeting in Dubai later this month.”

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2019