The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could face a massive financial hit if the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to penalise them for its refusal to play the T20 World Cup 2026 match against arch-rivals, India.
According to details collected by PTI, Pakistan`s share in the ICC`s financial cycle 2024/27 comes to approximately USD 144 million at the highest payout rate of USD 38 million distributed to the PCB annually.
“Basically if the ICC decides to penalise Pakistan for not playing India, the PCB could take a big hit financially as the ICC share in the current financial cycle comes to approximately 40 billion PKR,” an insider said.
He then added that Pakistan had received substantial shares from the ICC for the T20 World Cup 2024 and the previous year`s Champions Trophy. The board also got an additional USD 6 million from the total budget of USA 70 million for the event.
They had spent around 18 billion rupees on the upgradation of three stadiums, which has affected the earnings from the Champions Trophy.
“The PCB is yet to get shares from the T20 World Cup this year and from the 50-over World Cup next year and that is where the ICC could impose financial penalties,” said the insider.
The insider said the PCB revenues also include money from the national team`s sponsorship deal and the sale of the national team`s home international and domestic cricket rights.
“But the PCB also has huge expenses which include subsidising the domestic events, salaries and administration expenses, perks for around 700 to 800 employees,” he said.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan is placed in Group A along with teams such as India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States of America (USA).
The “Green Shirts” will begin their campaign by playing a clash against the Netherlands on February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka.
The high-octane clash between arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, is scheduled to be played on February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Pakistan`s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Salman Ali Agha (C), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Amirza, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Usman Tariq.
(With PTI Inputs)
