Pakistan on Tuesday banned the telecast of Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches in the country, citing an “organised effort” by India to “harm” the game in Pakistan.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told a press conferencethat the decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime MinisterImran Khan, a former captain of Pakistani cricket team.
He said the move was taken by the Cabinet because India leftno opportunity to harm Pakistan’s cricket.
“India made an organised effort to harm cricket inPakistan and it doesn’t make sense for us to allow an Indian domestictournament to be promoted here,” he said, pointing out that the officialIndian broadcaster pulled out of the fourth edition of the Pakistan SuperLeague (PSL) in the middle of the tournament after the Pulwama attack “toharm the league and cricket” in Pakistan.
In February, DSport — the official broadcasters of the PSLin India — stopped the coverage of the tournament in protest of the Pulwamaattack.
Indian company IMG Reliance also pulled out of its deal to produce the television coverage of the PSL worldwide forcing the Pakistan-based T20 league to find a new production company midway into the tournament. PTI