England's Test tour of Pakistan is 'at risk of a TV blackout as NO UK broadcasters pick up the rights to show the series back home'

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No UK broadcasters have as yet picked up the rights to show England's Test tour of Pakistan later this year, according to reports. 

England will travel to Pakistan for a three-match series starting in Multan on October 7, though as it stands no fans will be able to tune in from home with a tv blackout looming. 

According to the Guardian, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a tender document in July that has thus far seen little interest from UK broadcasters, with no negotiations yet underway. 

It comes after England's last trip to Pakistan two years ago, a tour that produced one of the most breath-taking finales in the visitors' long history.

Ben Stokes and Co made history as the first England side to whitewash Pakistan on tour, thanks to ludicrously quick batting in true Bazball style, as well as a truly exhilarating climax to the first Test.

No UK broadcasters have yet picked up the rights to show England's upcoming tour of Pakistan according to reports

England won the first Test in Rawalpindi in dramatic fashion to set up a brilliant series 

A number of records were smashed, with four England batters hitting tons in the first day's play, Zak Crawley breaking the record for the fastest century by an England opener, and the tourists made 506 in just the first day - another record.  

That tour saw England throw Rehan Ahmed, then aged just 18, a first Test cap as he took seven in the match on debut, including a five-for in the second innings of the third Test. 

The drama came early on in the tour, when after a blistering first innings with the bat, England thrilled with the ball in a gloomy Rawalpindi to take the final wicket with a draw fast approaching with the light fading.

It was the first win for the tourists in 23 years at the time in Pakistan, and came after Stokes dangled the carrot of a 343-run chase having declared in the second innings, and the gamble paid off. 

Jack Leach took the final wicket moments away from the end of play on day five for the first wicket of the innings for a spinner, trapping Naseem Shah lbw with the hosts desperately trying to dig in. 

England had bowled masterfully on a flat pitch that had lent itself well to batting throughout for their run chase, with Jimmy Anderson in particular finishing with four wickets off 24 overs with an economy of just 1.50. 

It was a high-octane series that was broadcast by Sky, but the fact it threw up so much drama may leave fans questioning why there has not been a fight for the right to show the series in the UK. 

Sky holds the exclusive rights to all domestic Tests but has indicated that they will not be bidding for this tour, while TNT are still yet to enter the negotiating process and have reportedly ruled out doing so. 

Ben Stokes' side became the first England side to whitewash Pakistan in Pakistan in 2022-23

Sky has scaled back its coverage of away series in recent years, taking the decision to focus on home coverage and major tournaments. 

It is thought this is due to analysing the costs of covering tours with high production values is not justifiable given the decreasing demand for annual subscriptions, especially when the football season - the main audience driver - is still in full flow. 

TNT Sports have covered away tours of late, including the last Ashes series and trips to India, New Zealand and West Indies, but have undergone cuts of late, and have already stepped back from coverage of rugby's European Champions Cup.