New bidder offers $9m for Indian series

Karachi, Aug 2: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received a $ nine million offer to sell live pictures of the forthcoming Pakistan, India Test series.

Sahara Group, a six billion dollar business concern, has made the offer and the board was seriously considering to accept the proposal. The new deal would cover the three Tests and five one-day internationals series to be played from Dec 26 to Feb 12 in Pakistan.

The PCB has a $24 million contract with TransWorld International (TWI) for four years and the agreement expires in 2003.

However, the recent negotiations between the PCB and Sahara Group may lead to legal battle between the board and TWI but the cricket officials claim they have done their homework.

"There are quite a few lacunas in the contract with TWI. Our counsel has advised us that even if we terminate TWI's contract, we would escape unhurt," a spokesman of the PCB said.

PCB marketing director Zahid Bashir on Wednesday returned from Mumbai, India, after a six-day tour. He refused to discuss details but admitted that he has secured some lucrative offers which have been submitted to Lt Gen Tauqir Zia for consideration and approval.

The Sahara Group has also offered half a million dollars as title sponsorship for the Pakistan-India Test series.

In addition to this, Sahara Group has also suggested to sign a fouryear deal with the PCB for sending its team to Kuala Lumpur for oneday series' against India. Sahara Group has proposed $ three million per series or $ one million as guarantee money and half of the earnings from the proceedings from each edition.

Besides, the PCB has also been contacted by ESPN who have offered $30 million to sign a four-year deal.

"In totality, the PCB is in a loss with TWI. Of course we would like to continue our relationship with them (TWI) but the contract certainly has to be reviewed. If TWI refuses to revise the contract, then we will have no other option but to terminate the agreement and sign a fresh deal.

"According to our information, we are getting much less than what countries like West Indies are earning from television rights," a PCB official said.

Zahid Bashir said he was still negotiating with other multinational companies and leaves for Singapore on Aug 6.