In a setback to T10 League franchise Karachians, a Pakistan court passed an interim order on Saturday which prohibits the team from using the word ‘Karachi’ in their promotional activities in the country.
The order comes after Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Karachi Kings moved the court seeking a stay order against the UAE T10 League outfit from using the word ‘Karachi’.
According to the interim order passed by the Sindh High Court on Saturday, TV and radio organisations in Pakistan are now temporarily banned from broadcasting, advertising or promoting anything from the T10 League which relates to the Karachians.
The order also applies to any team in Pakistan or abroad which use the term ‘Karachi’ in their branding. The prohibition is set to last at least till November 15 when the next hearing in the case is made.
According to report by ESPNcricinfo, several PSL franchises had recently written a letter to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani where they voiced their concerns over encroachment into their territories by T10 League outfits.
The Karchians have been on a recent promotional spree in the cities of Karachi and Lahore.
Karachians aim to create opportunities for youngsters in Karachi | Coverage By The Express Tribune: https://t.co/UcUdw6UU4T#YehKhelHamaraHai #Karachians #Karachi #T10league #T10 #Cricket #Crictainment #Pakistan #BusAbDus
— Karachians (@karachianst10) November 6, 2018
The PCB had earlier issued No Objection Certificates (NOC) to its players to participate in the upcoming edition of the T10 League after its organisers retained its official approval from the ICC.
Despite Sunday’s setback, T10 League chairman Shajiul Mulk remains confident that the order will be overturned in the next hearing.
“It’s a temporary thing and our lawyers are confident that the injunction is not based on sound principles,” Mulk told ESPNcricinfo.
“This is all based on the use of word Karachi, but if you see there are a lot business with the name Karachi included.
“But the main point here is that Karachi Kings, from what I know, is a brand name that belongs to the PCB, not to individuals because that’s how the league operates. So our counter argument will be that it’s the PCB’s decision to allow or not to allow this and Karachians is the name actually approved by the ICC and we have a document. So we are on a sound footing.”
The inaugural edition of the T10 League held last year had six teams participating in the tournament. That number has gone up to eight for the second editions with Karachians and Northern Warriors added to the fray.
Karachians had roped in former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson as their icon player for their maiden T10 League campaign.
