LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday stayed the termination of a media rights agreement (MRA) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The Tower Sports (Pvt) Ltd filed a petition against the PCB, pleading that the respondent board unilaterally terminated the agreement through an email on Jan 19, 2026, without adhering to the required 30-day notice outlined in the MRA.

Advocate Taffazul Haider argued on behalf of the petitioner/company that the termination of the MRA, being glaring violation of clause 13.1(a) and clause 29.3 of the agreement, was illegal and without lawful authority and was liable to be set aside.

After hearing initial arguments of the counsel, Justice Malik Javid Iqbal Wains issued notices to the PCB and other respondents for submission of replies by Feb 17. The judge also suspended the operation of the PCB email, which terminated the agreement, till the next date of hearing.

The petition, additionally, alleges the PCB awarded media rights for a tri-nation series to the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), violating the exclusivity clauses of the agreement. It said the PCB also issued an illegal notice for the recovery of Rs874m. The petition highlighted PCB’s constitutional obligation to act fairly and transparently as a government-controlled entity and accused PCB of breaching principles of natural justice and equity by terminating the agreement.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2026