Pakistan has kept a strong point of boycotting International Cricket Council (ICC) events that are to be held in India if politics continues to inject itself into cricket as a reprisal for India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This could have huge financial and structural implications for global cricket.
Pakistan Takes Firm Stand After India’s Refusal
Pakistan have been very magnanimous over the years, accepting the ICC’s invitation to many events in India and even assisted the ICC and BCCI avoid problems with broadcasters. But after making a decision to avoid participating in the 2023 Asia Cup to be hosted in Pakistan, thus creating a hybrid format of the tournament, and also after declining to send its cricket team for the Champions Trophy, it is now proposed that the Pakistani government may review its new policy regarding not allowing their teams to play against India “unless sports and politics are kept separate.”
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan To Take BIG Step If India’s No-Show Affects Hosting Rights
“Whatever our government decides I’ll be sticking to that, Pakistan has been showing good and humble gestures over the years but this can’t happen every time” Mohsin Naqvi also made it very clear after India refused o travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025
Full Scale Boycott Could Hurt ICC Revenue
“No India vs Pakistan games in ICC events mean all broadcast and sponsorship deals would fall out,” said a source who said that a match in ICC event is important for global cricket, as mentioned by Geo News
A full-scale boycott of matches against India, as called by the Pakistani government, could have far-reaching implications for ICC events in India between 2024 and 2031. This would impact viewership levels and potentially mar the projected revenues of the ICC from broadcasters and sponsors.
India Vs Pakistan Matches Generate Highest Revenues
It depends on the participation of India and Pakistan for marquee events as the ICC secured $3.2 billion in broadcast rights for the 2024-2027 cycle and expects an additional $1 billion from other revenue streams. Matches between India and Pakistan habitually attract record-breaking audiences and an absence can severely disrupt the financial dynamics of global cricket. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, 173 million users watched the live telecast while 225 million were digital viewers.
“Pakistan’s role is crucial not just for the game but for cricket’s financial ecosystem,” said a senior official from a multinational sponsor. “Pakistan draws top sponsors and viewers, which translates to revenue for the ICC and all cricketing nations.” mentioned Geo News
Full-Fledged Preparations For Champions Trophy
Preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan are on track as ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed Pakistan as the host for the event in September 2024. While venue upgradation was part of the preparations for the event in Lahore and Karachi.
The event’s budget has been cleared by the ICC, and the decision to host the event by Pakistan has also received a green signal from the Chief Executives’ Committee and the Board of the ICC.
If Pakistan sticks to what is reported, then the fact that the country maintains that the government has prohibited the national cricket team from playing against India it could become a severe problem in the smooth execution of the Champions Trophy and other upcoming events.
