PCB’s ₹141 crore at stake! Mohsin Naqvi’s board to go broke after potential Asia Cup withdrawal
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The PCB had reportedly threatened the ICC to boycott the upcoming fixture against the UAE if their demands, claiming the replacement of Match referee Andy Pycroft, are not met in the Asia Cup 2025.
The India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 marked indifference between the Indian and Pakistani players as well as the board. The Asia Cup contest was marked by empty stands, non-cooperation between fans, and the denial of handshakes from Indian players.
After all these moves, PCB fired out at the Indian team for the humiliation faced on the ground, as players walked straight out of the ground without following the ritual of the customary handshake.
PCB to incur massive Financial Loss if they pull out of the Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan's threat to boycott the next match went ignored when the ICC prohibited any such replacement from being announced for the match referee, Andy Pycroft. If PCB carries forward its threats and turns them into reality, then a revenue loss of nearly USD 12 to 16 million would be suffered by the Pakistan Cricket Board, as per a report in PTI.
Five Test-playing nations—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—earn 15 percent each, constituting 75 percent of the Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) annual revenue. The remainder of the shares comes from the Associate nations. The PCB is not a financially strong board to sustain such a huge financial blow.
Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) inked an eight-year deal (2024-2031) with the ACC for USD 170 million. The deal also includes the broadcast rights for the Women's Asia Cup and the Under-19 Men's Asia Cup.
Can Mohsin Naqvi risk PCB losing so much revenue after ICC's denial?
Mohsin Naqvi, who now holds the position of the PCB Chief and is also the ACC chairman at the moment, took a dig at the Match referee Andy Pycroft. They have also threatened to boycott the next Asia Cup fixture against the UAE on the 17th of September. However, the ICC has clearly denied the demands of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
"Can Naqvi risk Pakistan losing around USD 16 million out of a projected budget of USD 227 million for the fiscal year? That will be roughly seven per cent of the annual PCB revenue gone."
"It will be walking on thin ice for him. But again, as one of the important ministers of Pakistan, he also needs to keep his respect in front of his countrymen," a source privy to developments in the PCB told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
UAE will qualify for Super-4 if Pakistan decide to pull out
If Pakistan decide to withdraw from the continental championship, they might be ruined due to the huge financial losses. However, for one team, it can turn out as a blessing in disguise, that is, the United Arab Emirates. UAE will advance to the Super-4 uncontested in the final group-stage game.
Considering their withdrawal, Pakistan would be eliminated from the competition, as a result of which the broadcasters might also incur heavy losses. In all, Naqvi and Pakistan have a lot to lose and very little to gain.
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