Ten Sports bags Pakistan cricket TV rights

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has today awarded TV rights for all home played Pakistan games to Gulf-based Taj Entertainment Network (TEN Sports).

The five-year deal reportedly worth around $145.5 million will see Ten Sports continue to show Pakistan cricket as it was the current rights holder in Asia anyway.

“It is an excellent deal which will run from 2009 to 2013 for a period of five years and will start from our home series against India,” PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf, told AFP.

The deal includes Pakistan’s upcoming home series against India, which has been thrown into doubt amid fears over security.

India is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on 4th January to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India last week said it has sought government clearance for the tour.

With Ten Sports currently unavailable in the UK, it is not yet decided who it will outsource international rights to.