Pakistan versus South Africa series (2021) - Broadcast thread

[MenInG]

Some of the leading cricket commentators will be commentating in the Pakistan-South Africa Test and T20I series that commences at the National Stadium Karachi on Tuesday, 26 January with the first match of the two-Test match series.

Star Pakistan commentators Bazid Khan, Ramiz Raja and Wasim Akram will be joined by former South Africa batsman Daryll Cullinan, renowned commentator Mike Haysman and former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull.

Wasim would be calling the Tests while Doull would be engaged in the T20I series. The three-match T20I series that would follow the Rawalpindi Test would be staged in Lahore.

Cullinan, Doull and Haysman have expressed their delight at joining the commentary panel for what promises to be an absorbing series.

Daryll Cullinan: “I'm thrilled to be back in Pakistan and looking forward to seeing a very competitive series between two very talented teams!”

Simon Doull: “I can’t wait to see two high quality fast bowling attacks go head to head in the T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa.”

Mike Haysman: “I distinctly remember saying on air as the second Test concluded in Pakistan in 2003 (Pakistan vs South Africa series) that there is nothing to separate these two sides. Here we are 18 years later ready to resume that battle and this historic tour promises an epic encounter. I will be delighted to call it live.”

Meanwhile, the broadcast production services have been awarded to the consortium of TransGroup FZE, NEP Group and Blitz Advertising.

The consortium includes NEP Group as the Technical Partner. NEP is one of the world’s leading production partners for over 30 years, supporting premier content producers across the broadcast and live event industries.

NEP provides clients with technical services for remote production, studio production, video display, host broadcast, major projects, post production and visual effects, uplink services and innovative software-based creative technology solutions.

The production for the Pakistan-South Africa series will have a 28-camera set-up, including Hawkeye with all DRS enhancements, Ultra Motion, Buggy Camera and Drone Camera among others.

The production partners have expressed their delight at joining hands with PCB for the historic tour, South Africa’s first to Pakistan in more than 13 years.

Group Director Trans Group Rao Omar Hashim Khan: “We are delighted to be the broadcast production partners for upcoming South Africa series with Pakistan. We will showcase the events with best professionals and state of art equipment and hope to bring joy to the audience. Transgroup is one of the oldest associate and partner of PCB. They specialise in instadia event management, broadcast and commercial sponsorships rights.”

President NEP Singapore Saeed Izadi: “With technology playing an increasingly critical role in every aspect of production, NEP is delighted to offer a powerful combination of cutting-edge technology and years of experience in live broadcasting of cricket to support our partner Trans Group and Blitz.

“We are excited to provide our services to PCB for the international cricket using the latest 4K technology on the Pakistan cricket grounds for the very first time.

“We believe that being a cricket pedigree company; we are very well positioned to put PCB on the best path for success in delivering an unmatched breadth of quality and expertise in capturing magical moments for millions of their viewers. We look forward to working with our partners on this unique opportunity.”

CEO Blitz Advertising Ahsen Idris: “There are many reasons for Blitz Trans Group Consortium to be excited about the forthcoming tour of South Africa to Pakistan; not only one of the best cricketing teams of the world, touring Pakistan but also that PCB has entrusted us to deliver the production responsibilities of this series. Cherry on the cake is the start of our new relationship with NEP, the technical partners of the consortium.

“NEP Group is the leading worldwide technical production partner supporting premier producers of live sports and entertainment. We are very optimistic that the benchmark that has been set earlier by Blitz Trans Group consortium would be further enhanced and viewers would be able to catch the live excitement through world class coverage.”

[Thunderbolt14]

Wasim Khan has confirmed that we’ll be using buggy cameras for the first time in this series and in PSL 6 too.

[shaaik]

I think they should have PTV sports as a dedicated cricket channel for Urdu commentary only.

[Last Monetarist]

Would be nice to hear Cullinan again. He has been persona non grata at supersport for the last ten years due to his trenchant views on the CSA administration.

[saeed5646]

Decent lineup but disappointed with Mbangwa not their

[BigShak]

Looks like a proper high quality production set-up compared to the budget one we had for Zimbabwe series. Good stuff.

[guldozer]

Whats a buggy cam.

[Rana]

Simon Doull? Is this the first time the guy is coming to Pakistan as a commentator?

[Last Monetarist]

Simon Doull? Is this the first time the guy is coming to Pakistan as a commentator?

Yes.

He should have fond memories of Lahore, having won a test match for New Zealand there in 1996.

[ChTab]

It would have been amazing if crowd were involved in such a historic series but nevertheless I'm very excited for the test series not so much for T20's.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Ramping up nicely. A crisp 4k picture for a home match on sky sports in a newly built rafi stadium is going to be a watershed moment for us.

[Markhor]

Simon Doull is a random choice, he also commentated in the SRL-ENG series. Is he no longer working on NZL home series ?

[Last Monetarist]

Simon Doull is a random choice, he also commentated in the SRL-ENG series. Is he no longer working on NZL home series ?

He is working on radio only in New Zealand, as Sky NZ lost the telecast rights and he wasn't hired by the new broadcaster.

[Markhor]

He is working on radio only in New Zealand, as Sky NZ lost the telecast rights and he wasn't hired by the new broadcaster.

Interesting, thanks.

[ChTab]

Ramping up nicely. A crisp 4k picture for a home match on sky sports in a newly built rafi stadium is going to be a watershed moment for us.

That Rafi stadium will take a long time to build at some stage the court might interrupt the construction process again.

[zoeyfactor]

Huge to rope in NEP. They are the US-based major production company involved in NFL, NBA and other sporting companies, most importantly SuperBowl. Good job PCB!

[Prince of Pakistan]

Will this be free on Youtube as well? The PCB has been on fire since the Zim series.

[King_Kohli]

What about in India?

[Omer2002]

Will this be free on Youtube as well? The PCB has been on fire since the Zim series.

I doubt it will be free or even streamed as they have so many broadcasters all over the world now

[ChTab]

I doubt it will be free or even streamed as they have so many broadcasters all over the world now

I guess it will be available on YouTube only in Pakistan.

[shaaik]

I guess it will be available on YouTube only in Pakistan.

I doubt it but if available on YouTube it will be delayed by 10 mins ..

[aqeelPK]

Whats a buggy cam.

Cam on a buggy. Probably an attempt to promote local culture. I think buggy would be of some desi style like those pheri walas in Pakistani streets.

[Thunderbolt14]

Whats a buggy cam.

[Savak]

Has Ian Chappell given up commentary?

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

Has Ian Chappell given up commentary?

He does commentary for ABC Radio.

[zain7077]

Does anyone know where I can watch the match in Australia? Will fox sports be showing this?

[leonidas_alexandar]

Willow TV has updated their USA schedule to show the upcoming Pakistan-South Africa series. While I doubt I will ever be able to watch any match live given the time zone differences - I will definitely watch highlights of every single match.

Good luck Pakistan and may the best team win.

[RedwoodOriginal]

I enjoy Doull as a commentator. Good pick. Would have liked to see Pollock in there instead of Cullinan.

[aqeelPK]

4K for entire world & SD for Pakistani viewers. Well done PCB.

[Gotham Cronie]

Willow TV has updated their USA schedule to show the upcoming Pakistan-South Africa series. While I doubt I will ever be able to watch any match live given the time zone differences - I will definitely watch highlights of every single match.

Good luck Pakistan and may the best team win.

T20Is will run from like 5:30am - 9:30am.

[Last Monetarist]

Looks like no broadcaster in Australia then.

[MenInG]

Wasim Khan has confirmed that we’ll be using buggy cameras for the first time in this series and in PSL 6 too.

In full glory....

[Thunderbolt14]

In full glory....

Wow! That looks fantastic!

[Titan24]

In full glory....

Impressive stuff.

[Osama Shafeeqe]

Will this be streamed by PCB on their Youtube site for Australia? The Srilanka vs England series was streamed on Srilanka's youtube channel and I haven't seen any update by Foxtel.

[zain7077]

Will this be streamed by PCB on their Youtube site for Australia? The Srilanka vs England series was streamed on Srilanka's youtube channel and I haven't seen any update by Foxtel.

Yes I am interested in the answer to this too. Someone plz get back to us ASAP

[angrypathan]

Yeah annoyingly Fox Sports in Australia hasn't snapped this up, which is surprising since they showed the Sri Lanka series earlier in the year. Might have something to do with the PCB now trying to sell the next 3 years of home series + PSL rights together as one package. I believe Fox Sports previously used to buy rights on a series by series basis, and it was Bein sports which was showing the PSL last year. Hopefully the PCB can finalise a deal with an Australian broadcaster soon. Wouldn't mind Optus Sport getting it tbh, would give me a reason to cancel Foxtel and have access to the EPL as well. The less money going to Murdoch the better

[Colorblind Genius]

I wish if they could promote Sikander Bakhat (not the cricketer) to commentate. His is VERY GOOD by Pakistan standards.

[banzoid]

Any broadcaster for UAE?

[samiakh]

Any broadcaster for UAE?

Ridiculously not!!! Classic PCB. Negotiated deals everywhere but not in the market with the largest Pakistani expats! Only YouTube stream

[sam_ahm]

Not showing on Sony Ten in India, why the hell?

[Asif321]

What happned to Sony suddenly a U turn , yesterday it was in their listing

[leonidas_alexandar]

Two back to back gems from Wasim Akram within a space of a minute.

When Keshav Maharaj got out at 179 Wasim Akram said "And the batsman Linde missed it completely" - perhaps Wasim was not amused enough with getting the name of the batsman wrong and he spat out this gem immediately..


"Played well Maharaj" - and then the graphic flashes across the screen Maharaj 0 (11) - "I beg your pardon he did'nt play well" followed by an embarrassing giggle and "he departs for a zero".

So, first Akram gets the batsman's name wrong and the second one is inexcusable in my opinion.

A batsman stays there for a mere 11 deliveries and goes out for a duck. Unless someone plays a good innings and it registers in your mind as a commentator - you obviously don't say "Played well".

Akram says "Played well" - I think since he is not a very good commentator - he just has these sentences/clichés stitched up in his brain which he simply drones out without really paying attention to what he is saying.

Mostly he just reads what he sees on the screen and that is how he was able to correct himself after Maharaj's score was shown on the TV.

Maybe in Akram's book 0(11) is an innings well played.

[RajBan]

As far as i know they are working from home and does not have the support system and prompters around. So, these errors will only become common.

[giri26]

I watched the game on the official PCB YouTube channel yesterday in Australia. It was excellent quality. Had no issues. Seems like there are no other avenues to watch the game in Australia.

[Line and Length]

Gems are rare, this is normal day to day stainless steel crap by Akram.

Forget cricketing talent, we have no commentary talent. Wonder who will be our go-to commentator for foreign tours and ICC events once Rambo runs out of beautiful neck scarves to wear and calls it a day.

[pillionrider]

Watched some of the Azhar-Fawad partnership on Sonyliv online. Pretty good quality. Maharaj was bowling and there is a different loop and drift available to a spinner when he plays in the subcontinent. So good to see. Waiting for Yasir Shah in the 2nd innings. Hope it happens soon

[observer1]

The Coverage of Pakistan's games has seen a massive improvement.

Wasim Khan has done a terrific job to modernize the coverage of Pakistani games.

[Rana]

I cant believe my eyes, the first time we the british viewers get to watch Pakistan play in such high quality definition in a home series that isnt against England!

[silentkiller187]

Two back to back gems from Wasim Akram within a space of a minute.

When Keshav Maharaj got out at 179 Wasim Akram said "And the batsman Linde missed it completely" - perhaps Wasim was not amused enough with getting the name of the batsman wrong and he spat out this gem immediately..


"Played well Maharaj" - and then the graphic flashes across the screen Maharaj 0 (11) - "I beg your pardon he did'nt play well" followed by an embarrassing giggle and "he departs for a zero".

So, first Akram gets the batsman's name wrong and the second one is inexcusable in my opinion.

A batsman stays there for a mere 11 deliveries and goes out for a duck. Unless someone plays a good innings and it registers in your mind as a commentator - you obviously don't say "Played well".

Akram says "Played well" - I think since he is not a very good commentator - he just has these sentences/clichés stitched up in his brain which he simply drones out without really paying attention to what he is saying.

Mostly he just reads what he sees on the screen and that is how he was able to correct himself after Maharaj's score was shown on the TV.

Maybe in Akram's book 0(11) is an innings well played.

hahah i was laughing out loud at that, its like he just randomly spurts generic statements here and there without even paying any attention to the game.I think it is a matter of time before broadcasters start using British based Pakistanis as comms, as TMS done with Aatif Nawaz during the summer.

[Rana]

Well done Waseem Khan! He made Pakistan eventually catch up with the rest of the top countries about 10 years later, but he made it happen!

[Slim]

Enjoying Full HD broadcast experience. Fun stuff!

[Titan24]

I must say that broadcast has been pretty good.

[Last Monetarist]

Wish they'd somehow get rid of Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja. I'd rather listen to Urooj Mumtaz and Sana Mir.

[Rana]

I must say that broadcast has been pretty good.

This is the satisfaction we British Pakistani fans deserve! Why were we tortured by ARY digital and then PTV/hum Masala? 17 years of my life I have been tortured, traumatised by poor quality coverage unless Sky Sports are covering an away series for England! It feels like we are in an age of Enlightenment now and the dark ages have finally come to an end!

Thankyou Wasim Khan for this experience!

[Rana]

Wish they'd somehow get rid of Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja. I'd rather listen to Urooj Mumtaz and Sana Mir.

Id rather listen to Shoaib Akhtar and let him be as baised as he likes towards Pakistan! Give the Kiwis, Saffers and Aussies a taste of their own medicine!!!!

[Thunderbolt14]

Wish they'd somehow get rid of Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja. I'd rather listen to Urooj Mumtaz and Sana Mir.

They should bring in Sikandar Bakht.

[Last Monetarist]

They should bring in Sikandar Bakht.

I find him tediously bland on domestic cricket.

Shan Masood was actually pretty good on the BBC last summer, I expect he'll have a good career in broadcasting. But at the moment, Bazid and Aamir Sohail are the best we've got other than the two women.

[Fahdi]

Production quality has been top notch. Full credit to the PCB in this regard. The Youtube stream has upwards of 2 million views, good to see such interest.

[offstump]

Does anyone know why there are no proper highlights being uploaded to YouTube either through the pcb official channel or the broadcaster? All we have access to are random low quality highlight clips.

[shady]

I've loved the production for this series so far. A marked improvement from the Zimbabwe series. The graphics and camera work have been top notch.

[cricket4all]

This is the satisfaction we British Pakistani fans deserve! Why were we tortured by ARY digital and then PTV/hum Masala? 17 years of my life I have been tortured, traumatised by poor quality coverage unless Sky Sports are covering an away series for England! It feels like we are in an age of Enlightenment now and the dark ages have finally come to an end!

Thankyou Wasim Khan for this experience!

Broadcast has been very good, but hum and ary coverage was better than no coverage at all which use to be the case before that.

[cricket4all]

Wish they'd somehow get rid of Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja. I'd rather listen to Urooj Mumtaz and Sana Mir.

Ramiz and Wasim Akram I rather have commentating than having no Pak commentary for Pak games. For example channel 9 in Aus and others at times use to have no Pak commentators.

Like Wasim Akram made some goofs with names, but so do overseas commentators also get Pak names wrong.

I agree about having the 2 women commentators and home match commentators should be mainly Pakistani with one neutral and one from the touring team.

[saeed5646]

Does anyone know why there are no proper highlights being uploaded to YouTube either through the pcb official channel or the broadcaster? All we have access to are random low quality highlight clips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Db...akistanCricket

[Gotham Cronie]

Does anyone know why there are no proper highlights being uploaded to YouTube either through the pcb official channel or the broadcaster? All we have access to are random low quality highlight clips.

Willow has the highlights on their website.

[MenInG]

Some interesting shots from the trolley cam - wish there was a crowd and those shots would be more dramatic