Indian board secures sponsors for Ireland series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have finally managed to rope in exclusive sponsors for the three-match series against South Africa in Ireland next month
Cricinfo staff
24-May-2007
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Lalit Modi, the BCCI vice-president, told a press conference in Mumbai that India will play a one-off ODI against Pakistan in Glasgow on July 3, the proceeds of which will go towards charity.
"We will get $600,000 for each ODI (against South Africa) from the sponsors who will be spending a substantial amount which only they can disclose", Modi said. "We wanted to play the match against Pakistan at Lord's but the England and Wales Cricket Board objected. We will hold it in Glasgow. All proceeds would be credited to the Prince's Trust for Asian society."
On the forthcoming season, Modi disclosed that all long-term sponsorship deals would be discussed next month. "The process for finding sponsors for all international matches held in India, as well as domestic ties, for the next four years would start next month," he said. "We have not shortlisted any sponsors as we believe in issuing tenders."
The three-match series against Ireland is part of India's off-shore commitments in addition to the ICC's Future Tours Programme. Last year, India played a two-match series at Abu Dhabi as well as a tri-series in Malaysia also featuring Australia and West Indies. Modi said that the board intends to play against as many teams and possible and not just stick to playing against Australia, the world champions.
"We had played a series against Australia in Malaysia and we thought it would be better to play against some other team. We had not committed ourselves to Australia and a lot of countries, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka, want to play against us."
The ODIs against South Africa are scheduled for June 26, 29 and July 1, all at Belfast.