UK pay-television broadcaster Sky has acquired rights for the England national cricket team’s tour against Pakistan later this year.
Sky has secured the rights through a deal with Indian subcontinent pay-television broadcaster Taj Television, whose Ten Sports brand has a five-year broadcast partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board running from 2015-16 to 2019-20.
The Pakistan-England series will take place in the United Arab Emirates and comprise three Test matches, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games. The first Test commences on October 13 in Abu Dhabi.
Sky’s agreement with Taj comes after pay-television rival BT Sport last week dislodged it as the live rights-holder for the next Ashes series between England and Australia in 2017-18. BT Sport secured the exclusive rights as part of a deal with the Cricket Australia governing body that will run for five years, from 2016-17 to 2020-21. It was also reportedly in contention for the rights to the Pakistan series.