'Misbha and Liquor cannot go together'

Lahore, May 5: After allowing Misbah-ul-Haq to play for liquor baron Vijay Mallya-owned Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in trouble as it is in conflict with its policy of discouraging players from associating themselves with alcohol brands.

PCB CEO, Shafqat Naghmi said the board does not encourage its players to promote alcohol products.''Players usually take prior clearance for endorsing or starring in any brand commercials. I am not sure whether Misbah has taken permission for the Royal Challengers and I am also not sure whether he is required to wear or market any brand of the UB group,'' Naghmi said.

''But yes we do discourage our players from even sporting logos promoting alcohol or tobacco products,'' he admitted.

Naghmi said ''the board would look into the matter.'' Vijay Mallya owns the United Breweries group, manufacturers of alcohol brands in India, and Royal Challenge (RC) happens to be the name of a spirit brand of the UB group.

UNI