Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a series of new sponsorship deals with the Dubai based broadcaster Ten Sports. The new agreements guarantee substantial increases in the income of Zimbabwe cricket as the team prepares for the 2007 World Cup and the further expansion of cricket in the country.

The new multi year agreements include the sale of title sponsorships and advertising boards for upcoming international cricket, including the Indian tour of Zimbabwe in 2005.

Peter Chingoka, the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket said  “it is excellent news that we have been able to secure such considerable financial support for the next few years and this will allow us to continue with our development of the game in the country”

Ten Sports Vice President Peter Hutton commented “we are delighted to be able to extend our support for Zimbabwe cricket. We have enjoyed a strong relationship with the board for many years now and are happy to assist in the development of cricket in the country.

Ten Sports already broadcasts cricket from Sharjah, the West Indies,Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Morocco throughout the Indian sub-continent, Asia,Europe and the Middle East as well as broadcasting cricket from India, the cricket world cup and the ICC knock out in certain territories. The channel only launched in April 2002, but is already watched by more viewers than any other sports channel in the Indian sub-continent