The Indian cricket squad for the two one-day internationals against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi next month as well as for the last four ODIs against England in the ongoing series would be picked up in Goa, venue of the third match, on April 3.
"The team for Abu Dhabi and the last four ODIs against England would be chosen in Goa on April 3, Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said on Friday. The team would depart on April 16 for Abu Dhabi," he added.
The last four ODIs against England are scheduled at Kochi (April 6), Guwahati (April 9), Jamshedpur (April 12) and Indore (April 15). The ODIs at Abu Dhabi will be held on April 18 and 19.
Shah also confirmed that the Indian and Pakistan boards had agreed to pay fees to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for using the Zayed Stadium. "We will be paying the fees for using the stadium. The amount has not been fixed. But what's wrong in it? They are hosting the matches," he said.
Abu Dhabi would also host an Euro-Asia 'A' tournament from April 22-May 5, featuring teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Holland, UAE and Ireland.
India, Pakistan and Holland have been pooled in group A while Sri Lanka, UAE and Ireland are in group B, Shah said.
Meanwhile, India's cricket board aims to rake in $200 million by playing some home matches in neutral venues over the next five years, including North America, a top Indian board official said yesterday.
The board has invited bids for global media rights for all matches India will play on neutral grounds (belonging to non-ICC member countries) for a period of five years. "The main objective is to take the game to the expats, who otherwise only get to watch matches on TV," board vice-president Lalit Modi told Reuters.
"We have identified eight markets, among them the United States, Canada, Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur," said Modi, who is also chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's marketing sub-committee.
India have recently signed a four-year agreement with private airline Air Sahara for $69.6 million and agreed the sale of global telecast rights for international and domestic matches in India for a period of four years for $612 million.
India are to play two one-dayers against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on April 18 and 19 to raise funds for the victims of the October 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
Modi said the cricket boards of India and Pakistan have agreed on a 50-50 profit sharing ratio on the second match. The proceeds from the first match are to be donated to the quake relief fund of both countries.
He said the two boards together have paid the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council $1 million to host the two-day tournament.
"When you go to a venue you either have a profit-sharing or you give a flat fee," Modi said.
"A share in profits is not feasible because we expect to make $8 to 10 million a day all put together.
"All the rights belong to us, advertising, air time.
"Ticket revenues belong to us. Otherise, the ticket revenues go to the hosts," he said.
"We have played in neutral venues before. Those days, we gave away the TV rights. Now we are selling them ourselves."
