ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) alleged threat of withdrawing from the Asia Cup will not be easy to execute. If Pakistan actually does so, it could suffer a massive financial setback of around $12 to 16 million (Rs3.4 billion to Rs4.54 billion), a foreign media outlet reported on Wednesday.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) earns its annual revenue mainly from broadcasting rights (TV and digital), sponsorship deals, and ticket sales. About 75 percent of this income is equally shared among the five full members—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan—each getting 15 percent. The remaining 25 percent is distributed among the associate members.
From this Asia Cup alone, the PCB was expected to earn between $12 and 16 million. A withdrawal would, therefore, deal a huge economic blow to Pakistan cricket.
A foreign broadcaster has signed an eight-year broadcasting deal worth $170 million with the ACC, covering the period from 2024 to 2031. This deal also includes the rights to the Women’s Asia Cup and the Under-19 Asia Cup.
If Pakistan exits mid-tournament, it could cause significant complications for the broadcaster, since the India vs Pakistan clash is the biggest attraction of the entire contract. Advertising slots for this game are sold at premium rates, and Pakistan’s absence would lead to major financial losses for advertisers and broadcasters alike.
PCB Chairman and Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi, also serves as the current President of the ACC. He had openly criticised ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, holding him responsible for the recent controversy where Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistan cricketers.
Naqvi even wrote to the ICC, demanding Pycroft’s removal from the tournament and threatening Pakistan’s withdrawal if the demand was not met. However, ICC rejected this request and refused to remove Pycroft.
A PCB source told a foreign media outlet, “Will Naqvi risk depriving Pakistan of around 16 million USD in revenue? That’s nearly seven percent of PCB’s annual budget. It would be like walking on thin ice.”
If PCB pulls out, other ACC members may object to Pakistan’s 15 percent revenue share, meaning they would lose their cut without playing. Moreover, as ACC president, Naqvi would also have to face the broadcaster’s outrage.
