Sky Sports nears 11th-hour deal to broadcast England-Pakistan Test series

Sky Sports is reportedly on the verge of finalizing an 11th-hour deal to broadcast England's highly anticipated Test series in Pakistan, set to kick off next week. The England squad arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday, amidst a backdrop of logistical upheaval that saw match venues confirmed only 17 days before the series begins.

The first two Tests are slated to take place in Multan, with the third match in Rawalpindi. This uncertainty stems from ongoing upgrades at local stadiums in preparation for February’s Champions Trophy, which has created challenges for both players and broadcasters.

Initial negotiations following a tender from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) attracted no bids from UK television networks. However, sources indicate that Sky Sports has stepped in and is in the final stages of securing a broadcasting agreement, pending the PCB board's approval. Sky previously covered England's last tour of Pakistan in December 2022.

Details surrounding the potential agreement remain unclear, particularly whether it will cover just this tour or evolve into a long-term partnership between Sky and the PCB. Nonetheless, Sky aims to finalize the deal in time for their regular cricket analysts Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain to join Michael Atherton on-site for the first Test. They will complement the local broadcast team, featuring veterans like David Gower, who returns to Sky after a brief hiatus, alongside Urooj Mumtaz and Ramiz Raja.

In contrast, TNT Sports has yet to express interest in the Pakistan series, despite holding rights for various overseas cricket territories, including India. They are set to broadcast England’s upcoming tours of the West Indies and New Zealand later this year. With their deal for Australian international cricket expiring this summer, their lack of engagement with the Pakistan series raises questions about their future strategies, particularly concerning next winter's Ashes tour.

In recent years, Sky has predominantly focused on its extensive contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board for home matches and the International Cricket Council for global events, largely steering clear of bilateral international rights. Should the Pakistan deal be confirmed, October promises to be a packed month for Sky, with morning Test matches followed by Women’s T20 World Cup coverage from the UAE in the afternoons.

The trend of last-minute broadcast agreements, especially in Asian markets, has become increasingly common. However, the overall broadcast value of bilateral cricket continues to decline, reflecting a growing disinterest among networks.

On the radio front, BBC Test Match Special has secured the rights for the Pakistan tour, triumphing over Talksport. They plan to send a team, including Jonathan Agnew, who is set to cover his final tour as cricket correspondent.