- Sources: PCB ready to withdraw from playing in ICC events in India.
- The Board of Directors is determined to reject the “hybrid model” of the Champions Cup.
- Pakistan will host the major tournament in February and March next year.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking reasons for India’s refusal to cross the border to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, sources said. Geographic News Tuesday.
This development comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the mega event, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in February-March next year.
Earlier, sources said that the PCB intended to write to the ICC after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) verbally informed the international body of its decision not to send its team to Pakistan to participate in the said tournament.
The ICC then reported the matter to the PCC prompting the latter to consult the Pakistani government on the issue.
The Board intends to present a firm position reflecting the Government’s advice and has decided not to accept any ‘hybrid model’ of providing any Champions Cup matches outside Pakistan.
“If India’s participation contributes to the ICC’s revenues, the role of the GCC is equally important, and without the match between Pakistan and India, the ICC’s revenues will suffer significantly,” say sources.
The Board intends to present a firm position reflecting the Government’s advice and has decided not to accept any ‘hybrid model’ of providing any Champions Cup matches outside Pakistan.
“If India’s participation contributes to the ICC’s revenues, the role of the GCC is equally important, and without the match between Pakistan and India, the ICC’s revenues will suffer significantly,” say sources.
It is also possible that Pakistan will completely boycott ICC events in India due to “mixing sports and politics” and refuse to visit Pakistan.
The highly anticipated move, if implemented, could have major financial and structural consequences for world cricket, as Pakistan’s absence could dampen the ICC’s expected viewership and revenue from broadcasters and sponsors.
The ICC, which has secured $3.2 billion in broadcast rights for the 2024-2027 cycle and expects an additional $1 billion in other revenue, relies heavily on mega events involving Pakistan and India, which consistently attract record viewership and participation.
“No matches between India and Pakistan in ICC events means all broadcast and sponsorship deals will fall through,” said a source who pointed out that the match at the ICC event is important for world cricket.
In recent years, the ICC has ensured that India plays Pakistan at least once in each of its international cricket events, ensuring a significant chunk of revenue from the game.
The match between the two arch-rivals in the 2023 World Cup received unprecedented attention, with 173 million viewers watching on Indian television and 225 million digital viewers.
It may be noted that India has not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008. Last year, BCCI refused to send a team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to a mixed format with later stages being played in Sri Lanka.
However, Pakistan visited India soon after for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to reach the semi-finals.