In a big development Pakistan Cricket Board has joined hands with Super Sport, South Africa’s leading sports network as its sports broadcaster in the Africa region till 2023.
According to the agreement Super Sport now has the exclusive rights to broadcast Pakistan’s all home international games. In addition to that they have also attained the rights for Pakistan Super League from 2021- 2023.
The announcement has come within a month after the Pakistan Cricket Board signed a $200million three-year agreement with PTV Sports and I-Media Communication Services to broadcast Pakistan’s domestic matches.
The first series of the partnership starts in Rawalpindi on 30 October when Pakistan host Zimbabwe in the first ODI. The series will conclude on 10 November with the third T20I.
Since its launch in 1995, Super Sport has turned in to one of the most watched sport channels in the world. Including a dedicate cricket channel it has 18 other sport channels for football, boxing, motor sport, tennis, golf etc.
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said here on Thursday : “We are delighted to partner with a globally-renowned sport network such as SuperSport. This partnership will enable us to showcase our exciting cricketers, 83 days of our home international cricket and HBL Pakistan Super League to the sport-loving Africa region.
“The HBL Pakistan Super League is the PCB’s marquee event in which a big number of foreign cricketers, including from South Africa, take part.
“As a broadcast partner in the Africa region, I have no doubt that SuperSport will take full advantage of this partnership by promoting Pakistan cricket across its vast territory. The PCB remains committed to strengthening the foundations of Pakistan cricket with sustainability at the core of our five-year strategy.
“This new partnership follows quickly after the domestic $200million deal recently secured with PTV Sports and I-Media Communication Services.
“Broadening our revenue streams will not only go a long way to de-risking our business, but it will also support our aim of improving our cricket infrastructure and domestic cricket, as well as enabling us to improve contracts for our men and women players, our coaches and match officials.”
“In line with our region-based strategy, the PCB has had positive responses from key sport broadcasters and so we expect to make further announcements in due course.”
Marc Jury, Head of Acquisitions, SuperSport said : “We are very excited to be extending our partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board for their full international schedule and the HBL Pakistan Super League, more so given that Pakistan will be playing their home matches back in Pakistan.”
