Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and cricket enthusiasts in England eagerly await a deal to secure television broadcast rights for Pakistan's home series against England in October. However, the initial reserve price set by the PCB has proven excessive, deterring broadcasters from entering negotiations.Despite reports of Sky and TNT Sport showing little interest, the PCB remains optimistic that a deal will be reached. However, concerns have been raised about the board's methods of securing broadcasting rights, which may hinder the realization of these deals.The PCB recently accepted a valuation significantly lower than its reserve price for domestic rights for home series from August 2024 to December 2026. The board's initial quote was approximately PKR 3.1 billion (USD 11.2 million), but the final broadcast figures are believed to be between USD 6 to 6.5 million.The transparent bidding process allowed broadcasters to collude and agree on a pre-determined price, significantly lower than the PCB's valuation. ARY and Tower Sports eventually acquired the rights.While the PCB claims the domestic rights sold for double the previous cycle, the ICC sold its rights in Pakistan for several times that amount, estimated at USD 25 million. PTV and Tower Sports secured the rights to broadcast six ICC events in 2024 and 2025, including India-Pakistan fixtures.Pakistan's inability to play India in bilateral series reduces the value of its domestic rights. England is set to play three Tests in Pakistan in October, but an agreement to broadcast the series in the UK remains elusive.