09 February 2004	Monday	17 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 8: Pakistan cricket authorities have banned alcohol advertisements on cricket grounds during the upcoming Pakistan-India cricket series set to revive ties between the rivals, officials said on Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opened the sponsorship bids for various categories on Saturday. Results of the bids are to be revealed in the next few days after considering objections raised by some Pakistani and Indian companies.

"No seller of beverages, meaning any drink containing alcohol will be allowed to be the title sponsor or the co-sponsor," said the PCB bid documents. Alcohol is banned in Pakistan and no alcohol advertisements are allowed in the media and outdoors.

India are due to play three Tests and five one-day games in March-April on their first tour to Pakistan since 1989-90 after New Delhi lifted a bilateral series ban in October last year.

The final itinerary would only be announced once a three-member Indian delegation completes a security assessment tour starting from Monday. Pakistan expects a windfall of over 20 million dollars from the series as 14 companies from Pakistan, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore took part in the open bidding.

The title sponsors will have the right to name the series which current proposals for the series tile being the Friendship series or the Imran-Kapil (after legendary Pakistan and Indian all-rounders Imran Khan and Kapil Dev). -AFP