Zimbabwe Cricket sign new broadcast deal

India’s recent tour of Zimbabwe was almost called off due to differences between BCCI and Ten Sports

Total Sports Management (TSM) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have signed a new eight-year broadcast deal. TSM is a Bangladesh based sports marketing agency and will have the marketing rights and live television coverage rights for all of Zimbabwe’s home international matches, reports ESPNcricinfo.

The agreement between ZC and TSM ends the partnership between Zimbabwe cricket and the Indian firm Ten Sports which is owned by Essel Group. India’s tour of Zimbabwe last month was nearly called off due issues between the BCCI and Ten Sports. The tour took place after late talks between the two given entities.

TSM’s chief executive, Mominul Choudary told the website that his company doesn’t mind operating under a loss until other corporate entities are interested in Zimbabwe cricket. "Zimbabwe was the only Test nation that was meeting its own television production costs and it took a huge toll on the board. They've shown us a good blueprint, and we are happy to be in business with them," Chowdury said.

Zimbabwe are guaranteed at least a minimum of 50 days of international cricket at home, across all three formats till the 2023 World Cup under the deal, said Wilson Manse ZC Interim Chief.

"Under the FTP, we were supposed to play just 58 ODIs outside the ICC tournaments. That was going to decrease our chances of improving rankings. The onus is now on us to make ourselves marketable and repay the confidence and faith shown in us by TSM," Manase said.

This new deal might help in the revival of Zimbabwe cricket, and more matches will also mean more match practice.