NEW DELHI, 24 February 2005 — Pakistan’s cricket tour of India will go ahead as scheduled next month, Indian cricket chief Ranbir Singh Mahendra said yesterday, ending speculation the high-profile tour could be canceled due to a TV rights row.
Media reports said Pakistan’s first Test tour of India in six years was in jeopardy due to a long-running legal battle over the awarding of television rights for cricket matches played in the country.
But Mahendra, who took over as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from Jagmohan Dalmiya last September, said there was no way the tour will be canceled or even postponed.
“The tour will go ahead as scheduled,” Mahendra told AFP.
“Yes, there has been a delay on TV rights but that is because the matter is in court. We are confident something will be worked out. As soon as we hear from the courts, we will work on a war footing.”
Pakistan are due to arrive here on Monday to play three Tests and five One-Day Internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999.
The first Test is scheduled to begin in the northern town of Mohali on March 8.
The Madras High Court is currently hearing arguments in a writ petition filed by Zee Telefilms, India’s largest listed media company, after it was denied the TV rights by the BCCI last September.
The BCCI backed out of a four-year, $308-million deal with Zee after it was challenged in court by rival ESPN-Star Sports, jointly owned by Disney and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
The Madras High Court has advised the BCCI not to finalize any deal for the Pakistan series until it has ruled on the case.
The dispute had also put in doubt two home series against Australia and South Africa earlier in the season, but the Supreme Court allowed the board to sell the series separately to public broadcaster Doordarshan.
Zee, meanwhile, offered a olive branch to the BCCI yesterday, saying it was willing to telecast the Pakistan series at short notice.
“Zee would do this entirely at its risks and costs and without any equity in its favor,” the channel wrote in a letter to Mahendra.
“This shall also be without prejudice to the respective contentions of the parties before the Madras Court.”
ESPN-Star Sports and Doordarshan have also approached the BCCI to find a solution to the crisis after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday the series was unlikely to be played if the TV issue was not solved.
“I have received the letter from Zee, but we can’t do anything till the court decides on the case,” said Mahendra.
The Madras High Court is expected to deliver a judgement this week.
Wright May Quit as India
Coach After Pakistan Series
In Hyderabad, India’s New Zealand cricket coach John Wright wants to leave after the upcoming series against Pakistan, saying he was unlikely to commit himself for another two years.
“My contract ends in May this year and there is always a lot of speculation about what will happen in the future,” Wright told reporters yesterday. “I assume the next contract will be till the 2007 World Cup (in the West Indies). I don’t think I am ready to commit myself till then.
“I have not discussed the matter with the Indian board. My first priority is the Pakistan series, which is very important for all of us.”
Pakistan, who arrive on Monday, are scheduled to play three Tests and six One-Day Internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999.
The 50-year-old former New Zealand captain has served as India’s first foreign coach for five years and was expected to be retained after the national team’s impressive performance during his tenure.
India beat Steve Waugh’s Australians 2-1 in a home Test series in 2001, qualified for the 2003 World Cup final in South Africa, drew a four-Test series in Australia earlier this year and then posted a maiden Test series win in Pakistan in March-April. But India lost a return series against Australia at home in October before defeating South Africa and minnows Bangladesh late last year.
If Wright quits, India will have to find a new coach before a one-day series in Sri Lanka in July also featuring the West Indies.
Wright, a left-handed opening batsman, played 82 Tests for New Zealand between 1977 and 1993 and scored 5,334 runs at an average of 37.82. He also played in 149 One-Day Internationals, making 3,891 runs at 26.46.
