ESPN To Cover India-Pakistan 'Friendship Cup' (16 Apr 1996)

ESPN to cover India-Pakistan `Friendship Cup`

16 April 1996

ESPN has acquired exclusive telecast rights to the India-Pakistan Friendship Cup live from Canada. This will cover all five limited overs games to be played by the two teams in September this year.

The live televast in English and Hindi is the latest addition to ESPN`s new programming line-up for the year. This special telecast would commence in the evening and follow immediately after the live and exclusive telecast of the England tour by India and Pakistan, covering both the Test and one-day series, from May to September next.

Commenting on the telecast, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) I S Bindra said "It is an excellent breakthrough for the promotion of the sport of cricket in North America. ESPN, by covering this event, will provide people across more than 100 countries an opportunity to wach India and Pakistan play in a totally different environment."

The Friendship Cup was conceived by the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board. It will be organised by the Canada Cricket Association (CCA) and managed by the International Management Group (IMG).

In addition to this unique event, ESPN`s telecast lineup includes major cricket action including live coverage of India`s and Pakistan`s tours of England, South Africa`s tour of India, Australia`s tour of India, the West Indies tour of Australia and the triangular World Series in Australia featuring besides the host nation, West Indies and Pakistan.