The Hindu Business Line : ESPN STAR awarded Afro-Asia Cup rights

New Delhi May 31 The Asian Cricket Council has awarded the telecast rights of the Afro-Asia Cup 2007, which starts next week to ESPN STAR Sports (ESS).

According to ACC, the earlier contract for the Afro-Asia Cup with Nimbus has been cancelled due to latter's `non-fulfilment of contractual obligations.'

The worldwide rights include exclusive television broadcast rights of the tournament in addition to title and on-ground rights. All other commercial rights are also included along with the responsibility for television production of the matches as well, said a joint statement from ACC and ESPN STAR Sports.

The tournament, which opens on June 6 in Bangalore will cover three-day one-day internationals, a women's Twenty20, and a men's Twenty20 Asia vs. Africa match hosted in Chennai and Bangalore.

"They (ESS) are the undisputed leaders in the sports arena in the Asia Pacific region and bring a lot of value not only through a large distribution network, but also in the way they present the sport through scheduling, international quality production and a world class team of expert commentators," said Mr Syed Ashraful Huq, CEO, Asian Cricket Council, in a joint release.

"Our distribution strength will ensure that cricket fans across India and abroad will be able to enjoy the telecast of this grand cricketing spectacle," said Mr R.C. Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India. The network also has the telecast rights for the next Asia Cup to be played in May 2008 in Pakistan.

The Asian team includes Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni as wicketkeeper and Mahela Jayawardene as captain.

Mark Boucher will lead the African team that includes Loots Bosman, A B De Villiers, Justin Kemp, Thomas Odoyo and Shaun Pollock.