Ten Sports bags TV rights of Pakistan cricket for $ 145 mn

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Ten Sports has bagged the television rights of Pakistan cricket for the next five years for a whopping $ 145.5 million. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Ten Sports had been given the television rights as they submitted the highest bid for the series to be played in Pakistan for next five years, starting with the scheduled tour by India from first week of January.

But Saleem Altaf, chief operating officer, PCB, made it clear that if Pakistan was forced to shift its home series to offshore or neutral venues then terms would have to be revised with the broadcaster.

Four other broadcasters had also bid for the rights but sources said after a stringent bidding process monitored by Ehsan Mani, former president, ICC, and legal and financial experts, the rights were awarded to Ten Sports as they had given the highest bid.

Ten Sports had the Pakistan cricket rights for the last four years for a total sum of $ 45 million, majority of which they recovered from India's historic tour in 2004.

Altaf said Pakistan was banking on a busy international home season next year to generate enough revenues, starting with India's tour to play three Tests, five ODIs and a twenty20 match. Pakistan is also due to host Sri Lanka, Australia and the Champions Trophy later in the year.