ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday, terming Pakistan’scricket talent ‘the best in the world’, said the revamped domestic cricketstructure would help discover and polish the abilities of buddingcricketers in the country.
He was speaking at the signing ceremony of a satellite broadcast dealbetween the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)linkandthe Pakistan Television (PTV) Sports, and another agreement to secure cabledistribution with I-Media Communication Services here at the PM House.
The three-year arrangement is structured to enhance revenues, with the PCBlinkexpectingto earn US$200 million during the term. It will give the PTV the exclusivebroadcasting rights of the PCB’s all domestic cricket matches, includingQuaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan Super League, National T20 Cup, One-DayPakistan Cup, and the National Under-19 one-day and three-day tournaments.
[image: Prime Minister Imran Khan witnessing the Signing of MoU between PTVand PCB, at Islamabad on September 16, 2020]Prime Minister Imran Khanwitnessing the Signing of MoU between PTV and PCB, at Islamabad onSeptember 16, 2020
Since the PCB underwent major overhaul last year as departmental system wasscrapped in favour of new regional cricket structure, the prime ministerexpressed the confidence that the domestic cricket would revive the gloryof cricket in the country.ALSO READ PCB finalizes broadcast deal for Pakistanlink
He said there was no dearth of sporting talent in the country and sharedhis dream for the Pakistan cricket team to prove its mettle in the nextWorld Cup.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction that the collaboration betweenthe PCB and the PTV would cater to the needs of cricket viewers throughquality and live broadcast of the matches.
Imran Khan cherished the acclaimed programmes of PTV’s bygone era,especially dramas and said today’s occasion was an important step towardsits revival to be followed by digitalization in future.
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As per survival of the fittest rule, he said, the PTV needed to competewith private channels through quality content.
*Later talking to **APP* link, PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani saidfor first time in 30 years, the broadcast rights of home matches were beinggiven exclusively to the national broadcaster and termed it an encouragingsign for the promotion of cricket in the country.
Mani said the step would provide an opportunity to the fans to watch goodcompetitive cricket almost throughout the year and follow their favouriteteams in the domestic season.PTV Chairman Arshad Khan termed the deal “historic”, assuring the viewers atreat to watch cricket matches on the PTV and the quality distribution viacable distributors.ALSO READ 665 new Coronavirus cases reported; four deaths in past 24 hourslink
Legendary cricketer *Waseem Akram told APP link it wasa “big day for Pakistan and cricket” due to the agreement’s scope forpromoting the sport at the grassroots level.To compete with the world, Akram said, infrastructural reforms wereimportant in cricket and other sports, including hockey, squash etc.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan witnessed the signing ceremony alongwith the PCB chairman, PTV chairman, and Special Assistant to the PM onInformation Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa.
The PCB-PTV deal was inked by PCB Chief Executive Officer Waseem Khan andPTV Managing Director Aamer Manzoor, while the agreement between the PCBand the I-Media Communication Services was signed by Waseem Khan andDirector Khalid Mehmood.
