JEDDAH, 2 March 2004 — Arab Digital Distribution (ADD) yesterday announced that it had exclusive rights in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East to telecast live the forthcoming cricket series between India and Pakistan. ADD will telecast the clash of the Asian giants in Pakistan scheduled from March 13 to April 17 along with ARY Digital Network and E-Vision.
The series comprising five One-Day International (ODI) and three Test matches will be telecast live and exclusive on ADD, described as the largest pay TV platform management company in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. “This will be available to Pehla and ePehla subscribers,” Ajit John Peter, a spokesman for Pehla told Arab News.
Pehla — Premium Asian Entertainment Television is synonymous with yearround cricket and continues to bring cricketing action this year, premier championships like the ICC trophy in England and Australia’s tour of India followed by the Springbok tour of India.
The India-Pakistan series has raised a great deal of excitement among cricket fans. Everyone wants to catch the action ball-by-ball. “So there has been a rush for new subscriptions. As the premier platform for Asians, Pehla stands for A-Z of cricket and continues to showcase live and exclusive cricketing action from around the world,” he said.
What has added to the excitement is that the two Asian giants are facing each other in a home series after a gap of 15 years. “This is the third series we telecast, following the Pakistan vs Bangladesh and Pakistan vs South Africa series.”
Following is the schedule of matches between India and Pakistan:
1st ODI in Karachi, March 13; 2nd ODI in Rawalpindi. March 16; 3rd ODI in Peshawar, March 19; 4th ODI in Lahore, March 21; 5th ODI in Lahore, March 24; 1st Test in Multan, March 28-April 1; 2nd Test in Lahore April 5-9; 3rd Test in Rawalpindi, April 13-17.
