PCB staring at major financial blow if Asia Cup is scrapped
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing the potential loss of US$14 million in revenue if the 2025 Asia Cup does not go ahead as planned. According to a report by PTI (Press Trust of India), the figure represents a significant portion of the board’s projected earnings from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for this fiscal year.
The total projected revenue for the PCB from both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the ACC stands at about US$106 million, with approximately US$93 million expected from the ICC alone.
An insider told PTI, “The revenue from these two major sources (ICC and Asia Cup) is very important for the financial health of Pakistan cricket.”
Resistance to Dhaka meeting throws Asia Cup into doubt
Uncertainty over the Asia Cup’s future deepened after key member boards, including the BCCI, Sri Lanka Cricket, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board, pushed back against the scheduled ACC meeting in Dhaka on July 24, where final decisions on the tournament were expected.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as ACC President, opted not to travel to Singapore for last weekend’s ICC meetings, attending instead via video link. PCB CEO Sumair Ahmed represented the board in person but failed to secure firm commitments from key stakeholders.
PTI reported that Sumair “didn’t get positive responses” from his interactions with India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan regarding their willingness to attend the Dhaka meeting.
An unnamed insider added to PTI, “The PCB met with plenty of resistance to the ACC scheduling the meeting in Dhaka. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman and few other associate member boards were adamant about not travelling to Dhaka.”
Political tensions cast shadow over tournament
The Asia Cup was originally slated to be hosted by India in September. However, diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the Pahalgam attack in April, in which 26 people lost their lives. India’s response — a military operation dubbed Operation Sindoor — further heightened tensions, and although a ceasefire was announced on May 10, the aftershocks are still being felt in the cricketing world.
In an effort to cool speculation, India’s Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya publicly stated that India has “no problem playing Pakistan in international tournaments where multiple countries are involved.” Despite that, tensions resurfaced when Indian cricket greats, led by Yuvraj Singh, refused to play against a Pakistan Champions side at the World Championship of Legends in Birmingham, leading to that fixture being cancelled after public backlash.
Budgetary risks mount for PCB
The PCB’s total budget for the fiscal year is reported at roughly US$227 million, with approximately US$30 million projected from the next season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The $14 million expected from the Asia Cup would represent a major revenue source — one now at serious risk.
