PCB ‘writes’ to ICC and seeks reasons for India not playing Champions Trophy in Pakistan

LAHORE: Uncertainty remains regarding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy, sources say Geographic News On Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting that the neighboring country refuse to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament.

The PCB’s letter to the ICC comes a few days after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) verbally informed the ICC of its decision not to participate in the mega event to be held in Pakistan in February-March next year.

The international body then referred the matter to the PCB, which in turn directed the PCB to consult the Pakistani government on the issue.

The board aims to take a firm stance reflecting the government’s recommendations and has decided not to accept any “hybrid model” for Champions Trophy matches outside Pakistan.

“If India’s participation adds to the ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role will be equally critical and ICC revenues will suffer significantly if there are no Pakistan-India matches,” sources say.

The board aims to take a firm stance reflecting the government’s recommendations and has decided not to accept any “hybrid model” for Champions Trophy matches outside Pakistan.

“If India’s participation adds to the ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role will be equally critical and ICC revenues will suffer significantly if there are no Pakistan-India matches,” sources say.

There is also a possibility that Pakistan will completely boycott ICC events in India as it “mixes sports with politics” and refuses to visit Pakistan.

The potential move, if implemented, could have major financial and structural ramifications for global cricket; as Pakistan’s absence could weaken viewership and the ICC’s projected revenue from broadcasters and sponsors.

The ICC, which has generated $3.2 billion from broadcast rights for the 2024-2027 period and expects another $1 billion in other revenues, is relying heavily on major events featuring Pakistan and India that consistently attract record levels of viewership and engagement.

Stating that a match in the ICC event is important for global cricket, a source said, “No India-Pakistan match in ICC events means all broadcast and sponsorship deals will be void.”

In recent years, the ICC has ensured that India plays Pakistan at least once in each of the global cricket events, generating huge revenue from the game.

The match between the arch-rivals in the 2023 World Cup attracted unprecedented attention with 173 million viewers on Indian TV and 225 million viewers on digital.

It is worth noting that India have not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008. Last year, the BCCI refused to send a team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to a hybrid format with the later stages being held in Sri Lanka.

However, Pakistan soon visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to reach the semi-finals.