News Headline
Pakistan Cricket Board to earn $ 22 million from Indo-Pak series
MUMBAI: Finally a definitive statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) itself as to what reveunes it expects to rake in from the historic Indian cricket tour that kicks off on 10 March.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, at a media briefing in the Pakistan port city of Karachi on Saturday, said the board had signed sponsorship deals worth $21 million. Khan has been quoted by the Pakistani media as saying another $ 1 million was expected from ticket, hospitality boxes and vending rights sales.
The PCB chief, flanked by PCB financial consultant Riaz Mahmood and legal advisor Ahmed Hussain, clarified to reporters at Karachi’s National Stadium that Dubai-based Taj Entertainment Network (which runs Ten Sports) had paid $ 13.3 million for the television rights of the series and not $ 9 million as has generally been quoted. Khan explained that the terms of the deal that Ten had signed with the PCB was for a three Test and three One Day International series. Since this tour involved five ODIs, the PCB was able to get Ten to cough up an extra $4.3 million. If the math looks a bit wonky here, it is not surprising, because math probably had little to do with the calculations at work.
There had been a huge media debate within Pakistan as to whether the PCB had been shortchanged in the deal considering the kind of frenzied interest there was in the series. It had even led to a rather farcical situation wherein the ousted general manager marketing Zahid Bashir (who had no locus standi in the matter anymore) made a trip to India and had meetings with executives of pubcaster Doordarshan and some private playesr as well. Bashir even held press briefings claiming he had offers/approval from some Indian television companies to buy the telecast rights of the series for $ 13 to $ 14 million.
The following is the break-up of who is paying the the PCB what, as reported by Pakistan’s The News in its Sunday edition:
*Ten Sports exclusive broadcaster – $ 13.45 million (includes additional $300,000 Ten agreed to pay PCB for live video streaming rights and $150,000 for live radio broadcasting).
*Electronic major Samsung title sponsor – $ 4 million.
*Hero Honda co-sponsor – $ 1,491,000.
*World Sport Nimbus In-stadia advertising (unrestricted) and mobile telephony rights – 1,389,000 ($ 1,287,000 In-stadia and $ 102,000 telephony rights for India only).
*Madison Outdoor Media Services (MOMS) In-stadia advertising (restricted) – $383,800.
*Ticket, hospitality boxes and vending rights sales – $ 1 million.
The News quotes Riaz Mahmood as saying Indian companies would be contributing one third of the earnings from sale of title, co-sponsorship and ground signage rights. “Their share comes to above $ 7 million in the total of $ 21 million,” he said.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
