Local players likely to benefit from PCB’s lucrative broadcast deal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on ensuring that the local players in the country gain the maximum benefit from its lucrative broadcast deal.

The PCB, on Wednesday, signed a satellite deal for broadcast in Pakistan with PTV Sports and a further agreement to secure cable distribution with I-Media Communication Services.

The agreements were signed in the presence of the Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is the Patron of PCB. The broadcast deal will be for the 2020-2023 cycle.

The broadcasting arrangement is structured to provide for increasing revenues over the term of the cycle and PCB expects to earn in excess of US$200 million over the three year term.

On this occasion, PCB’s Chairman Ehsan Mani, Chief Executive Wasim Khan, Member Cricket Committee Wasim Akram, Head Coach-cum-Chief Selector Misbahul Haq, Test captain Azahr Ali and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez took part in a meeting with PM Imran as well.

ALSO READ: IPL governing council member lauds ‘terrific’ Babar, Shaheen

Misbah and Hafeez expressed their reservations over the new regional domestic structure, which has reduced jobs and income for around 70 per cent of the players/officials in the country’s cricket setup.

On hearing this, Mani assured the duo, along with Prime Minister, that local players will be better off in the future as PCB will use the money, which it will receive from the broadcast deal, to resolve their concerns.  

Sources also stated that the players wanted to meet PM Imran without the presence of PCB officials but after the patron’s insistence, the board’s top brass was also invited inorder to hear the point of view of both sides in the same meeting.

PM Imran also praised Hafeez’s performance in the recently concluded T20I series against England, while also expressing confidence in Misbah’s abilities as the team’s head coach and chief selector.