NEW DELHI: With the standoff between India and Pakistan continuing over the 2025 Champions Trophy, there can be huge financial implications for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if the marquee tournament is either postponed or moved to any other country.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that their men’s cricket team will not be going to Pakistan for the tournament next year.
The tournament is currently scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. Due to the uncertainty, no match schedule has been made public.
This would be the first time that Pakistan would be hosting a global ICC event since they co-hosted the ODI World Cup in 1996 and the PCB wants to set an example that Pakistan, often targeted for security issues, is safe for big tournaments.
But the tournament has been thrown into turmoil after India’s refusal and the PCB has rejected the concept of a hybrid tournament, in which India would play its matches at neutral locations, like the United Arab Emirates.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, if the tournament is either postponed or moved to any other country, the PCB risks facing ICC sanctions, including cuts to substantial ICC funding, if it withdraws.
Not just that, the report adds that moving or postponing the Champions Trophy would mean losing out on potentially USD 65 million as hosting fees, substantial money for the PCB.
The report adds that this loss would rankle further considering that PCB made serious investments to upgrade infrastructure for the Champions Trophy at the three earmarked venues – Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.
The PCB has asked the ICC to explain India’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan for the tournament.
Pakistani media reported on Tuesday that the PCB would be unwilling to accept security reasons for India’s refusal to visit, since New Zealand have toured Pakistan three times in the past two years, England have visited twice and Australia once in the same period.
Without Pakistan’s participation, the ICC could face contractual challenges, with broadcasters and sponsors expecting both teams to play in high-stakes matches.
Legal disputes with commercial partners, potential revenue drops and a decline in ICC’s financial distribution to members are likely consequences.
With the BCCI insisting on a hybrid model, there is a possibility of a change of venue for the mega event.
But as of now, the ball is in ICC’s court.