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Pakistan finalises TV deals for two series
Published December 02, 2015
Ehsan Mani at a press conference in Lahore in 2004. Pakistan cricket authorities Friday announced the much-awaited sale of broadcast rights for two home series on the recommendation of a bids committee headed by Mani. (AFP/File)
Pakistan cricket authorities Friday announced the much-awaited sale of broadcast rights for two home series.
The series, to be played at the neutral venue of the United Arab Emirates because of security fears in Pakistan, will be against South Africa (October-November) and Sri Lanka (December-January).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the UAE-based Ten Sports won the rights to the Pakistan-South Africa series, while the local Geo Super was awarded the rights to the matches against Sri Lanka on the recommendation of a Bids Committee headed by Ehsan Mani, former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
"The sale process was conducted by a Bids Committee, the entire process was monitored by independent Audit Firm Ernst & Young and observed by a member of the PCB governing board to ensure its transparency and integrity," said a PCB statement.
Pakistan's previous five-year TV rights deal, which expired in June this year, was worth US$140.5 million.
The PCB was forced to sell only two series and hold the five-year deal until next year as the high court in Islamabad has prevented it from taking major decisions until a new chairman is appointed through elections.
Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf was suspended by the court over dubious elections in May this year.
A PCB spokesman said the deal was finalised after a clean process.
"Two bidders participated in the bidding process. The financial bids of both were evaluated and were the highest," said the spokesman.
"The PCB will not be announcing the rights fee amounts finalised for these tours. However, the offers finalised are significantly higher than the values that PCB had received for these series under the previous media rights contract."
Pakistan will play two Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 against South Africa and three Tests, five one-day and two T20 against Sri Lanka.
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