Sky Sports bag broadcasting rights for England-Pakistan series

According to the contract, the channel will air more than 50 England Tests and every ICC competition until 2023

Sky Sports have emerged victorious in the battle for broadcasting rights against BT Sport for the upcoming tour of England against Pakistan in UAE in October.

This series will be the first that Alastair Cook’s team will participate in after their triumph in Ashes 2015, according to Sky Sports.

Read: England likely to make changes in squad before facing Pakistan, says Bayliss

According to the contract which lasts for the next five years, Sky Sports will air more than 50 England Tests and over 350 scheduled days of live England cricket as well as every ICC competition until 2023.

Sky was dealt a major blow earlier when it lost live coverage of the next Ashes series in 2017-18. Cricket Australia announced a five year deal with BT, believed to be worth £80 million, to show its international matches.

It is the first time Sky have lost the rights to a major England tour since 1990.

However, with the new deal sealed Sky Sports have managed to maintain their strong foothold in sports broadcasts.