Sky Sports has secured the rights to broadcast live coverage of all Pakistan home matches for the next three years as major international cricket resumes in the country.
In a deal with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the pay-TV broadcaster will show every Pakistan home bilateral series, including England’s scheduled two-match T20I series in October 2021 and a further Test and ODI series at the end of 2022.
Alongside international cricket, Sky Sports will also televise the next three editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 competition as part of the agreement, with the 2021 edition set to run from 20 February to 22 March.
The first series to be shown on Sky Sports Cricket under the new rights deal will be Pakistan’s two-Test series against South Africa from 26 January, which will be followed by the sixth edition of the PSL, featuring 34 live matches.
Later in 2021, Pakistan are due to host limited-overs series against New Zealand, England and the West Indies. Then in 2022, Australia are due for a full tour with England and New Zealand returning for Test and ODI series, with the 2023 schedule is still to be confirmed.
No international cricket was played in Pakistan for a decade following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009, with Pakistan holding the majority of their home matches in the United Arab Emirates, but touring teams have slowly returned to the country in recent years and a number of English players have taken part in the PSL.
Sky Sports previously held the rights to broadcast Pakistan’s home international cricket in the late 1990s and 2000s and has covered every England tour played in the UAE over the last decade.
Commenting on the deal, Bryan Henderson, Sky Sports’ director of cricket, said:
“We’re delighted to add Pakistan cricket to our portfolio starting with the visit of South Africa later this month, followed by the excellent HBL Pakistan Super League T20 tournament. Later in the year England’s men and women’s teams will play in Karachi – we can’t wait.
“This announcement is a fantastic way to begin 2021 for Sky Sports as we look forward to a thrilling domestic summer of cricket which includes The Hundred for the very first time in addition to the visit of Pakistan in a busy international calendar for England.”
PCB chief executive Wasim Khan added:
“Despite the challenging Covid-19 times, these remain incredibly exciting times for Pakistan cricket. The homecoming of all cricket has attracted leading sport broadcast partners to place Pakistan cricket on their networks which, in turn, will provide enhanced access to our fans and supporters across the world to follow and stay connected with us.”
For a full list of all forthcoming major cricket matches on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated cricket on TV listings page.
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