Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood, currently leading Yorkshire in English County cricket, has opted out of promoting an online gambling company, Dafabet.
Despite Yorkshire’s recent partnership agreement with Dafabet, which entails displaying the company’s logo on players’ shirts across all cricket formats, Masood has chosen to abstain from featuring the logo on his shirt collar.
The decision comes amidst growing concerns over the ethical implications of promoting gambling in the sporting arena.
While gambling is legally permitted in countries like England and Australia, Masood’s stance reflects a deeper consideration of the societal impact of endorsing such practices.
Masood’s principled stand echoes sentiments expressed by his fellow cricketers, notably Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan during the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Rizwan, too, took a stand against promoting gambling by using stickers to cover the controversial logo of a betting company, signalling a collective effort within the cricketing community to uphold ethical standards.
Notably, Dafabet was involved in Pakistan cricket under the name ‘Dafa News,’ before the country’s government banned surrogate advertising of all betting companies.
Sources reveal that Masood communicated his refusal to promote the betting company to county authorities, and Yorkshire has duly honoured his request.
This gesture underscores the mutual respect between players and cricketing bodies, with the English Cricket Board (ECB) and county teams demonstrating a profound understanding and appreciation for the religious beliefs of non-English players.
Masood’s decision aligns with a broader trend of athletes declining endorsements with alcohol and gambling companies, citing personal convictions and ethical considerations.
Former South African opener Hashim Amla stands out as a prominent figure in this regard, setting a precedent for principled conduct within the sporting fraternity.
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