iWorld
SportsBaazi on-boards global cricket star, Rashid Khan as brand ambassador
Mumbai: SportsBaazi, India’s premier sports gaming platform, is proud to announce the appointment of global cricket sensation, Rashid Khan, as its brand ambassador. Known for his cricketing skills and versatility across various roles, Rashid Khan perfectly embodies the Baazigar spirit, driven by his passion and hunger for the game.
Rashid’s popularity and familiarity with the audiences will spotlight SportsBaazi’s key communication theme, ‘Live Mein Hai Vibe.’ With a focus on the Watch and Play category, Rashid’s dynamic presence with his year-round showcase of skills for Afghanistan’s National Cricket team and in franchise leagues like Big Bash League (BBL), Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), resonates well with the brand’s quest for someone who is always ‘Live’ and loves to play the game all the time. His popularity as one of the most-loved foreign cricketers in India will amplify the core message of SportsBaazi – ‘Play Live. Win Live.’
Rashid Khan shared his excitement on the partnership and said, “I am thrilled to represent SportsBaazi and be part of this unique opportunity to build spectator engagement gaming. The growth of skill-based games like Fantasy sports in India over the last seven years is nothing short of fascinating. It’s an honor to see sports fans transition from mere spectators to decision-makers with the ‘LIVE’ feature based on their knowledge and understanding of the games. I am delighted to be part of SportsBaazi, a platform that celebrates every sport in India uniquely.”
SportsBaazi CMO and co-founder Puneet Dua expressed, “Rashid Khan epitomises the Baazigar spirit and has made a mark in the world of cricket with his skill and dedication, aligning perfectly with our vision. Through this association, we aim for Rashid to inspire our users to see challenges as opportunities for achieving success. Rashid has played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s rise in world cricket, and we believe his representation will revolutionise the online fantasy sports (OFS) industry.”
For SportsBaazi’s existing users, Rashid Khan’s popularity surged dramatically, especially after Afghanistan’s spirited performance in the World Cup ‘23. Despite falling short of the semi-finals, it was their best World Cup campaign, and Rashid’s influence on the team is evident. With 72 per cent of his 8.7 Mn social media followers being Indians, Rashid’s connection with fans, including SportsBaazi users, is undeniable.
SportsBaazi to achieve their ‘Watch and Play’ vision, recently introduced an innovative concept where fans not only watch their favourite sports but actively participate in live skill games. This immersive experience brings fans closer to the thrill of live sports, encouraging them to test their knowledge about the sport and player dynamics.
iWorld
Zeel to invest up to Rs 116 crore in PhantomFX for AVGC push
Strategic deal targets VFX, animation and gaming to scale global IP play.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… and now a lot more action behind the scenes Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. is doubling down on the magic that happens after the shoot, betting big on visual effects and animation to power its next growth chapter. The company has approved a strategic investment of up to Rs 116 crore in Phantom Digital Effects Ltd., marking a decisive push into the fast-growing Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) segment. The investment will be made through compulsorily convertible debentures in one or more tranches, subject to shareholder approvals.
The move signals a clear shift in Zeel’s playbook from just telling stories to engineering how they look, feel and travel across platforms. With PhantomFX’s global footprint spanning key markets such as the US and UK, the partnership is expected to significantly enhance ZEEL’s ability to create high-impact, visually rich content across OTT originals, animation, gaming and mythology-led formats.
At the heart of the collaboration lies a blend of storytelling muscle and technological precision. Zeel plans to tap into PhantomFX’s AI-integrated production workflows, proprietary pipelines and post-production expertise to improve efficiency and scale across projects. The two companies will also jointly develop original intellectual properties for OTT, gaming and licensing, expanding monetisation avenues beyond traditional formats.
The partnership is structured as non-exclusive, allowing PhantomFX to retain operational independence while continuing to serve its global clientele. For Zeel, however, the alliance offers a steady pipeline of creative and technical capabilities, enabling it to strengthen its omni-channel strategy and build globally relevant content assets.
PhantomFX brings with it an impressive pedigree. Its network includes award-winning studios such as Tippett Studio known for Academy Award-winning work on Jurassic Park and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Milk Visual Effects, which has bagged both an Oscar and a BAFTA for Ex Machina.
The investment comes at a time when the AVGC space is rapidly expanding, driven by demand for immersive, effects-heavy storytelling and cross-platform content experiences. For Zeel, this isn’t just a deal, it’s a visual upgrade to its global ambitions, where pixels, pipelines and IP could define the next blockbuster moment.
