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Australia's Networks Ditch Pakistan T20I Series Amid Low Ratings

2/1/2026

30 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Australia’s television networks will not broadcast the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, starting January 29 in Lahore, citing low viewership and advertising returns.
The move is a setback for Pakistan cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning February 7.
Several senior Australia players will miss the series for workload management.
Pakistan won the second T20I by 90 runs, with Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan captain, scoring 76.

History

Historical Context

Australia's cricket broadcasting landscape has evolved significantly since the 1995 launch of Fox Sports, which began airing international tours. In 2006, declining viewership led to the cessation of Ashes broadcasts, with ratings dropping by 30%. The recent decision to skip the T20I series against Pakistan reflects ongoing concerns about audience engagement, potentially impacting cricket's growth and visibility ahead of the T20 World Cup.

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Story summary

Australia’s television networks will not broadcast the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, starting January 29 in Lahore, citing low viewership and advertising returns.
The move is a setback for Pakistan cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning February 7.
Several senior Australia players will miss the series for workload management.
Pakistan won the second T20I by 90 runs, with Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan captain, scoring 76.

1 / 2