ARY Digital has confirmed to Biz Asia today its position in the forthcoming Pakistan cricket series.

The channel has bagged UK and Europe television rights to the forthcoming England tour of Pakistan next month and the much awaited tour of India in Pakistan in January.

However, the channel has sold the rights of the Pakistan vs England series to Sky Sports because it believes that the sports broadcaster will be able to screen the matches to a larger audience than its own. It retains the rights for telecast in Europe. UK viewers will have to tune into Sky Sports. Saying that, the channel has made it clear to Biz Asia, that it will most certainly be screening the upcoming India vs Pakistan series in the new year. The reason? Any India vs Pakistan match proves to pull in both the viewer and most of all the advertiser to the channel.

The England team will start its tour from a three-day match to be started on 31st October. The guest team will also play five one-days, three test matches, two three-day matches and a warm-up match against the Pakistan cricket team.

The first test match will start in Multan Cricket Stadium on 12th November, the second test match which will be played in Faisalabad Stadium on 20th November and the third and final test match will start on 29th November.

The first one-day match which will be played in Qadafi Stadium on 10th December. The second match will also be played in Qadafi Stadium started on 12th December. The third one-day international match between England and Pakistan will start on 15th December in Karachi, fourth and fifth matches will be played in Rawalpindi on respective dates of 19th and 21st December.

The India tour of Pakistan will start from 2nd January 2006. After the tests and one-day series the Indian team will stay for the ninth edition of the Asia Cup, which Pakistan host from 14-26th February.

It has not been announced yet as to who will be screening the Asia Cup, which ESPN STAR has won the worldwide TV rights for.

(Above dates information provided by Pak Tribune Online)

Update: 25th October at 21:39

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