May 25, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 08, 1428

MUMBAI, May 24: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have finally found exclusive sponsors for the three-match series against South Africa in Ireland next month.

The Future Group, which also owns the clothing firm Pantaloons, has signed a deal with the board for US$1.8 million.

Lalit Modi, the BCCI vice-president, told a press conference that India will play a one-off ODI against Pakistan in Glasgow on July 3.

“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.”

The three-match series against Ireland is part of India's off-shore commitments in addition to the ICC's Future Tours Programme.

Modi said that the BCCI 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.—Agencies