Pakistan cricket officials on Sunday signed a five-year, 140.5 million dollar television rights deal with the Gulf-based Taj Entertainment Network, the cricket board said.
The deal, described as "excellent" by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Salim Altaf, allayed fears that broadcasters might bid less for Pakistani cricket because foreign teams have been refusing to tour the country over security concerns.
"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," Altaf told AFP. The Taj Entertainment Network, which operates TEN Sports and is owned by Gulf-based businessman Abdulrahman Bukhatir, also held Pakistan cricket broadcast rights from 2004 to 2008.
Altaf said the deal was not threatened by the prospect of no international cricket in Pakistan. "The process of bidding is based on the optimum situation, which is that all teams will tour Pakistan as per schedule and if teams do not come to Pakistan we have the option of playing at a neutral venue," Altaf said.
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 January 4 to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international. "We have been preparing for the series in Pakistan and hope that India will tour," Altaf said.
But the cancellation of the Indian Junior hockey team tour earlier this month raised doubts the cricket tour would proceed as planned. The Board of Control for Cricket in India last week said it has sought government clearance for the tour.
Many foreign teams have refused to tour Pakistan over security concerns since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States seven years ago.
Pakistan had to relocate its two home series-against Australia and the West Indies-to neutral venues in 2002.
Australia's full tour to Pakistan in March this year and the International Cricket Council's (ICC) September Champions Trophy, which Pakistan was due to host, both fell victim to safety fears. The ICC rescheduled the tournament for September-October next year, but said Pakistan's home series against India will be a test to determine whether Pakistan will again be named host.
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