Karachi – Reports reveal that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would have suffered a massive financial blow—estimated between 3.5 to 4.5 billion rupees—had it withdrawn from the ongoing Asia Cup over the referee controversy with India.
According to details, a boycott would have nullified Pakistan’s expected earnings from broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and ticket sales. The most significant impact would have been on broadcasting contracts, particularly the ₹48 billion (USD 170 million) agreement with Sony Pictures Network India, which covers Asia Cup rights from 2024 to 2031, including women’s and under-19 tournaments.
Under the revenue-sharing model of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), 75% of the total revenue is distributed equally among the five full member nations—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—each receiving 15%. The remaining 25% is shared among associate members. For PCB, the Asia Cup was projected to bring in USD 12 to 16 million (PKR 3.5–4.5 billion) from its share of ACC revenues, sponsorships, and gate receipts.
The Dispute
The controversy began during the high-voltage Pakistan-India clash, when match referee Andy Pycroft allegedly instructed both captains not to shake hands before the toss, sparking outrage in Pakistan. The PCB viewed this as a sign of bias and initially refused to participate in matches overseen by Pycroft.
PCB even threatened to boycott the tournament if its demand for his removal was not met. However, the crisis cooled after Pycroft apologized on September 14, clarifying that the incident was the result of a “miscommunication.”
Had Pakistan followed through with its boycott threat, the consequences would not only have been financial but also diplomatic. Withdrawing would have strained PCB’s relations with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), risked penalties, and undermined future hosting opportunities.
In the end, while Pakistan expressed its displeasure, financial realities and the broader importance of maintaining ties within the ACC likely guided the decision to step back from its boycott stance.
