LAHORE, Nov 23: The Pakistan Cricket Board PCB) on Sunday signed a five-year $140.5 million television rights deal with the Dubai-based Taj Entertainment Network, which operates TEN Sports.

The deal, which has been described as an excellent one by PCB’s chief operating officer Saleem Altaf, allayed fears that broadcasters might bid less for Pakistan cricket because foreign cricket teams have been refusing to tour the country due to their security fears.

“It is an excellent deal which will run from 2009 to 2013 for a period of five years and will start from our home series against India,” the COO said.

The PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, Saleem Altaf and PCB’s Marketing Director Ahsan Hameed Malik were all present at the signing ceremony which was also attended by Chris McDonald, a representative of the broadcasting company.

Later, while talking to reporters at a press conference, Ijaz claimed that the volume of the deal was two-times more than the previous one which ended on March 31, 2008.

Ijaz said the production charges were also included in the amount.

The PCB had signed a deal of $42.5 million with the same TV channel in 2003, in which the cost of production was not included.

The COO said that the cost of production would not be more than $15 million.

Saleem said in case of cancellation of any series from Pakistan, there were clauses in the agreement signed with TEN Sports to cover up the situation. However, he did not disclose the details of the agreement.

He said the successful bid was bigger than all the contenders.

The deal includes the upcoming home series against India which has been thrown into doubt amid fears over security.

When asked how the PCB had signed the bid when the home series against India was in doldrums, Saleem said hopefully Pakistan would be hosting the neighbouring country in January/February next year.

“The PCB chairman is going to meet the Prime Minister of Pakistan on this matter and to brief the Indian High Commissioner at Islamabad shortly. He [the PCB chief] is also visiting India soon to have a detailed discussion with the Indian cricket board officials,” Saleem said.

To a question, Saleem hinted the PCB could play the series against India at a neutral venue, most probably Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and England.

“But our first priority is to host India at home and even we have completed our homework by carrying out negotiation with the cricketing authorities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah as alternate venues,” he said.

“The England and Wales Cricket Board has also offered the PCB to use their venues as alternate one and furthermore we can also swap our series with India. But the financial aspect will be the most important factor if we have to decide on any alternate venue,” he said.

Asked if Saturday night’s incident near the Gaddafi Stadium would affect India’s tour of Pakistan, Saleem said the government had different plans for every event and it could make suitable arrangements for the series.

Three crackers blew up at the Punjabi Language Centre near Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night, where World Performing Art Festival was on at that time. Although no life loss was reported, three people were injured during the stampede that followed.