BBC Sport agrees new audio deal for England Test series in Pakistan

BBC Sport has been awarded the audio rights to broadcast the long-awaited Test series in England, which begins on Monday, October 7.

The three-match series will be broadcast live on Test Match Special on 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website and app from 6am.

England’s last tour of Pakistan ended with a historic three-nil victory for Ben Stokes’ side.

Jonathan Agnew will lead the TMS commentary team alongside Simon Mann and Aatif Nawaz. Expert analysis will be provided by multiple Ashes bowler Steven Finn, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja and World Cup winner Alex Hartley, who is also the bowling coach of Pakistan Super League team Multan Sultans. Andy Zaltzman will take a break from presenting the BBC Radio 4 news quiz to work with the TMS team as a scorer and statistician, while Stephan Shemilt will provide news on BBC 5 Live as well as writing for the BBC Sport website.

It continues a busy winter, broadcast live on the BBC, which also includes the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, Women’s Ashes, WBBL and BBL and the men’s Test series between Australia and India.

BBC Head of Cricket, Adam Mountford, says: “It’s great news that such a fascinating Test series will be available to listen to on the iconic Test Match Special with live text commentary, as well as on the BBC Sport website and app. With our coverage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and commentaries from Pakistan, October will become a true celebration of cricket across the BBC. England’s recent tour to this country provided some truly exciting cricket and I have no doubt that there will be more exciting action in the next month.

RM4