Lack Of Sponsors: Pakistan Cricket Team Kits To Feature The Logo Of Shahid Afridi’s Foundation:
The Coronavirus pandemic struck the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hard, with international and domestic teams struggling to get sponsors in the midst of the global crisis. Since the PCB contract with its new sponsor – the multinational soda giant – has expired, the men’s national team (currently in England) is likely to play without a sponsor. Azhar Ali & Co. are expected to feature on their kits the logo of former skipper Shahid Afridi ‘s base.
“We’re delighted that the @SAFoundationN logo will be featured on the Pakistan playing kits, since we are charity partners to @TheRealPCB. Thanking #WasimKhan & the PCB for their continued support & wishing our boys all the very best with the tour #HopeNotOut,” Afridi tweeted from his official account as he announced the news to become PCB’s ‘charity partners’.
Pakistan has arrived in England to play three tests and as many T20Is. When some of the images of their training surfaced on social media, it could be seen that the players had no sponsor’s logo on the jerseys.
After PCB ‘s contract with the beverage-maker had expired, it welcomed new bids, but it was taken aback when no new bidder had arrived. Apart from a offer from the previous sponsor, the Board was unable to find a single brand that was interested in the sponsorship rights of the national team. The only bid that came was also 35 to 40% lower than the previous offer.
The PCB marketing team has been struggling quite a bit to get money on board. In reality, as things stand, the PCB will have to bear the costs of its domestic teams and the tournaments themselves, because the marketing department has not been able to get a sponsor.
In the meantime, Shahid Afridi Foundation has been making headlines in Pakistan for its charity work , particularly after the outbreak of Coronavirus began. Afridi himself traveled all over the world to feed the poor and needy through his foundation until the virus was contracted.
Via a charity collaboration with PCB, Afridi will expect to obtain some more support from all over the world in order to continue her philanthropic work in Pakistan. Whether or not this agreement would have any monetary value to the PCB is not yet understood.
