LAHORE, March 14: Radio Pakistan has disappointed its listeners by not airing running commentary over the World Cup cricket matches. It is the first occasion that Radio Pakistan had failed to make arrangements for the running commentary in the history of World Cup cricket.

Some angry listeners also rang up Dawn office to lodge their protest.

No official of Radio Pakistan could be contacted.

Radio Pakistan had made arrangements for the commentary for all last eight World Cup matches.

There are reports that the authorities could not buy the rights for the commentary after failing to get adequate sponsorship.

It is a common fact that 70 per cent of Pakistan’s population live in villages where a good number of radio listeners are still dependant on the radio for news and information.