KARACHI, March 12: The much-awaited cricket series between Pakistan and India will be covered by a record number of television cameras.

Taj Entertainment Network (TEN) Sports, which have the exclusive rights of the series, has planned to cover each match with 23 cameras - against 18 during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 in southern Africa.

Over 70 highly-trained professionals, mainly from Australia and South Africa, have been hired by the TV network to show live pictures from every possible angle at all venues during India's 40-day tour of Pakistan.

For the first time in Pakistan, Hawk-eye cameras have been installed to provide more information to the cricket-starved people watching the game on their TV sets.

According to one cameraman, more than five kilometres of cable-wires have been flown into Pakistan to make the cameras operational during a single match. Another four kilometres of cables will cater to the needs of other departments.

Several former stars have arrived to take their place behind the microphones in the commentary booth. India's Sanjay Manjrekar, Australian trio of Ian Chappell, Ian Healy and Dean Jones as well as Robin Jackman, the former England paceman.

Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain, will also appear during the series in special talk shows along with Navjot Sidhu, the ex-Indian batsman.