KARACHI: The cricket fans around the world are feeling thrilled and excited about the resumption of international cricket this week after a gap of nearly four months as England take on the West Indies and Pakistan in back to back series in July and August.

The ongoing Covid-19 crisis has deprived the fans of any major cricket action in international circuit during this period and the two cricket series are guaranteed to draw unprecedented viewership in the coming weeks with millions glued to their tv sets throughout the English summer.

The scene is no different in Pakistan and home fans are pinning hopes in the young Pakistan side to give a tough fight to experienced England team in the three-Test series and later in the T20s.

However, according to recent reports, PTV Sports — part of national tv network which is responsible for bringing cricket action as well as sports events to fans at home from around the world — may not be able to telecast the Pakistan-England series since it is currently facing massive financial problems with the broadcasters around the world.

While leading international broadcasters will be televising the Pakistan-England series in the Asian circuit including in Pakistan, sources say that PTV Sports will not be allowed to share the signals as they owe a staggering amount of money to the international broadcasters and unless that amount is cleared, they may not be able to acquire the rights to telecast any further cricket matches.

Sources further said that PTV has been running from pillar to post to get the rights for the Pakistan-England Tests and T20s but they have not succeeded so far since have repeatedly defaulted in the recent past and have therefore not been entertained by the leading sports networks around the world.

According to reports, the PTV also approached Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bail them out of the current situation but the PCB has excused itself and have asked PTV Sports to sort out their problems on their own.

Millions of fans in Pakistan and around the world are hoping that the current crisis is resolved at the earliest and PTV Sports manages to clear the outstanding payments to international broadcasters to bring live cricket action at their doorsteps from England.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2020