ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: Matches of the England series which kicks off with the first Test at Multan this week and those during India’s tour next year will be telecast live by Pakistan Television, a top cricket official said on Tuesday.

Shaharyar M. Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this at the oath-taking ceremony of the Rawalpindi District Cricket Association (RDCA).

“All the stakeholders have reached an agreement in this regard and the matches will now also be shown on PTV,” Shaharyar said.

The parties involved agreed on this matter during a meeting held here which was chaired by Information Secretary Shahid Rafi.

The news of the matches being telecast by PTV is bound to be welcomed by millions of cricket fans at home who had face a blackout of a one-day International between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2002.

Dubai-based channels have the telecasting rights of International matches till 2008 and have often demanded hefty sums from PTV if they wished to screen games.

“As a result of this there has always been uncertainty with negotiations continuing till the 11th hour, especially before the last two series.”

Shaharyar, who administered oath on officials of RDCA, said that the PCB wanted to avoid such a situation this time. “Our contention was that the matches being played here should be viewed also by people who do not have access to cable.”

“But the matter has now been amicably resolved and matches of the England and India series will be telecast by PTV and we can now say this for sure.”

Shaharyar also disclosed that ARY and TenSports have also sorted out their long-standing differences that had seen them go to court one year after signing agreement with the PCB.

“That had put us in a difficult position because we were neutral and could not support any party. Besides we were worried that the dispute could lead to matches not being telecast.”

Meanwhile, Shaharyar refuted reports that there were plans to organise a Twenty20 International between Pakistan and the visiting England side.

Interestingly the PCB chief was reported by Reuters on Monday that PCB was keen to host a Twenty20 match with England to raise funds for earthquake victime.

“There is no time in between one-dayers to think about such a match.”

“Personally I am against organising these matches as it is just slog cricket. There are also no plans for such a match during the Indian series.”

Shaharyar also spoke about paceman Shoaib Akhtar saying that he had seen a considerable change in the fast bowler’s attitude. “He is fully motivated and focussed and has been training very seriously.”