Photo Credit: Facebook Photo of Sky Sports
With England’s tour of Pakistan set to begin in a few days, Sky, a pay-television broadcaster, is expected to secure UK media rights for the three-Test series, according to reports.
Sky is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the series, with discussions also ongoing for a longer-term deal through 2026. However, sources from the UK and Pakistan have noted that the PCB has faced challenges with media rights negotiations recently, raising concerns that the deal could fall through at the last minute.
England’s tour begins on Monday, October 7. Sky, which holds the domestic rights for England and Wales Cricket Board matches, also broadcast England’s last tour of Pakistan in autumn 2022.
If the long-term deal is secured, it would include England’s ODI tri-series in Pakistan, also featuring Sri Lanka, scheduled for October 2026.
The PCB has struggled to secure long-term international media rights since its previous agreements expired in 2023. It is reported to have earned between $18 million (€16.2 million) and $19 million from international media rights from 2021 to 2023 but has not capitalized on this momentum.
Rival UK broadcaster TNT Sports recently showed Pakistan’s home Test series against Bangladesh under a standalone agreement.
The PCB has reached out to broadcasters in other regions, offering repackaged international media rights. In South Africa, PCB rights are available until December 2026, while rights in Australia, the Middle East and North Africa, the Caribbean, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and North America are available until December 2025.
Interested broadcasters were invited to submit their interest by 4 pm Pakistan time on Tuesday, after which the PCB would contact them to discuss reserve prices.
Last month, the PCB concluded its search for long-term domestic broadcast partners, with ARY and Tower Sports securing rights until the end of 2026.
The PCB’s men’s international schedule through 2026 includes:
– October 2024: England (three Tests)
– January 2025: West Indies (two Tests)
– February 2025: New Zealand and South Africa (ODI tri-series)
– May 2025: Bangladesh (three ODIs, three T20Is)
– August 2025: Afghanistan (three T20Is)
– September/October 2025: Ireland (three ODIs, three T20Is)
– October/November 2025: South Africa (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is)
– November 2025: Sri Lanka (three ODIs, three T20Is)
– February/March 2026: Australia (three T20Is, three ODIs)
– April 2026: Zimbabwe (three ODIs, three T20Is)
– October 2026: Sri Lanka (three T20Is)
– October 2026: England and Sri Lanka (ODI tri-series)
– November 2026: Sri Lanka (two Tests)
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
