Pakistani batting star Babar Azam has reportedly refused to wear and endorse the logo of a betting firm during the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL 2023), even as betting companies sponsor many franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Babar has incorporated a clause in his contract that he wouldn't be involved in the promotion of betting firms when he signed a deal to play in the LPL this year.

"Most of the Pakistani players are telling franchise owners and league organizers they don't want to be associated with wearing logos and endorsing them if they belong to any betting company including through surrogate advertising," the source said.

Mohammad Rizwan had refused to wear a logo of a betting company in the Pakistan Super League.

However, ironically, while some Pakistani cricketers are protesting surrogate advertising by betting sites, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and some of its PSL franchises were sponsored by the same companies in the league's previous season, and the players wore their logos on their uniforms.

One of the PCB's main sponsors in the PSL and during a recent home series has been a betting website which used surrogate advertising to promote its platform.

The source said Babar had said "a flat no" to the Colombo Strikers franchise which signed an agreement with him for the Lanka Premier League.

Babar is set to lead the Colombo Strikers in the LPL, scheduled to be held from July 30 to August 22.

(PTI inputs)