England Cricket In Massive Trouble Involving Pakistan, Blackout Situation Developing

Mohsin Naqvi and Harry Brook (Source: AFP)England might face an unusual and major problem during their upcoming tour to Pakistan, with their ODI tri-series potentially unavailable on UK television. The tournament, involving three teams England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will start on October 18, but no broadcaster has secured the UK television rights as of now.The three-team competition will run until October 31, with the top two sides meeting in the final in Lahore. The matches are expected to be important preparation for the 2027 World Cup.UK Television Deal Still Not Confirmed For ODI Tri Series In Pakistan 2026The main concern is the lack of an agreement between Trans Group, the agency handling the Pakistan Cricket Board’s international rights, and a UK television company for the ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026.It is important to note that the PCB has given Trans Group responsibility for finding a buyer for the UK market. However, with only a few weeks remaining before the series begins, the report from The Telegraph states that there is still no confirmed deal with either Sky Sports or TNT Sports.The fact the cannot be denied is that both broadcasters have shown England cricket in recent years. Sky covered England's previous tours of Pakistan in 2022 and 2024, while TNT has regularly picked up rights for major winter cricket, including the most recent Ashes series.One thing to note is that there is still a possibility of a late agreement. PCB remain confident that a broadcaster will eventually take the rights, according to the same report. Also Read: Jos Buttler Ruled Out Of Major Tournament, Australia Tour DoubtfulPakistan-England Tensions Add To The SituationThe recent relationship between the PCB and Sky Sports also became difficult during England’s recent home Test series against Pakistan.Sky showed an interview with the sons of former Pakistan Prime Minister and former captain Imran Khan during the first Test at Lord's. Imran Khan is currently in prison, and the interview reportedly angered the PCB.The Pakistan board threatened to take strong action over the broadcast, including the possibility of stopping the Pakistan team from returning after the lunch interval.It is also worth noting that Pakistan also operates its own streaming service, PCB Live. However, it has not been confirmed whether the platform could provide coverage in the UK if no television agreement is reached.England Have Faced Similar Blackout Fears BeforeThis would not be the first time England cricket has come close to disappearing from UK television.England's Test tour of Pakistan in 2024 faced a similar problem. Early offers from the PCB received no interest from UK broadcasters, with disagreements over the price and concerns about match timings for the viewers.The situation was resolved shortly before the series began when Sky Sports agreed a late deal at a reduced value, avoiding a complete television blackout.England’s Test series in India in early 2024 also faced serious uncertainty. With less than two weeks before the opening match, no UK broadcaster had agreed to show the series.TNT Sports eventually reached an agreement with the BCCI and secured the rights shortly before the first Test.Also Read: Abishek Porel Named In Bengal's Ranji Trophy 2026 Preparations