Pakistan is facing one of its biggest money problems in years, and the situation could become much worse if the International Cricket Council (ICC) decides to punish them. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is under serious threat after refusing to play India in the T20 World Cup 2026.
PCB faces a major financial crisis after India match refusal
This controversial decision could put the Pakistan Cricket Board’s billions of rupees at risk and shake their financial foundation. As reported by PTI, Pakistan is supposed to receive around 144 million US dollars in total during the ICC’s 2024–27 financial cycle, which is nearly 38 million dollars (about PKR 40 billion) every year.
This money has been the PCB’s main support system, helping them to pay salaries, run domestic cricket, manage international tours, and cover rising costs. If the ICC decides to cut, delay, or block this amount as a penalty for refusing to play India, Pakistan could face a major financial shock.
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However, the Pakistan board has already received some payments from the global body. They earned money from the 2024 T20 World Cup and also extra income from hosting the Champions Trophy last year. Pakistan earned an extra 6 million dollars from the overall Champions Trophy 2025 budget of 70 million dollars.
Heavy spending and limited earnings add to pressure
However, the board also spent heavily to host the event, but was able to host only one home match during the Champions Trophy. Losing the home India match meant they lost massive revenue. Additionally, the PCB has also spent a huge amount on infrastructure.
Around PKR 18 billion was invested in upgrading stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Work at these venues is still ongoing, which has further reduced the board’s earnings and added financial pressure. The real danger lies in the money that is yet to come.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not received its share from the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 or the next ICC World Cup 2027. These payments could be targeted if the ICC decides Pakistan has no valid reason, such as force majeure, for skipping the India match at the mega event on September 15 in Colombo.
Future ICC payments and legal risks worry PCB
Since the PCB has signed the Participating Nations Agreement, it is legally bound to play scheduled matches, and failure to do so can lead to heavy fines and compensation claims.
Read Also: Babar Azam is Pakistan’s Real Enemy at T20 World Cup 2026 – and Salman Ali Agha knows it
An insider was quoted as saying by PTI: “Basically, if the ICC decides to penalize Pakistan for not playing India, the PCB could take a big financial hit, as its ICC share in the current financial cycle comes to approximately PKR 40 billion.
The PCB is yet to receive its share from this year’s T20 World Cup and next year’s 50-over World Cup, and that is where the ICC could impose financial penalties.”
| S.No | Possible ICC Sanction | Impact Category | Severity Level |
| 1 | Loss of World Test Championship (WTC) points | Sporting | High |
| 2 | Negative impact on ICC team rankings | Sporting | High |
| 3 | Top cricket-playing nations may refuse to tour Pakistan for bilateral series | Sporting/Financial | Very High |
| 4 | Ban on overseas players participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) | Financial/League | Very High |
| 5 | ICC could bar PCB from receiving its share of central revenue | Financial | Extreme |
| 6 | No participation/hosting fee from ICC events | Financial | High |
| 7 | Pakistani players restricted from playing in overseas leagues | Player/Financial | High |
| 8 | Pakistan could lose ICC hosting rights for a long period | Hosting/Financial | Very High |
| 9 | Heavy financial penalties — fines up to 3× of participation money | Financial | Extreme |
| 10 | Long-term structural and financial damage to the PCB | Structural | Extreme |
| 11 | Actions forcing Pakistani cricketers to shift representation (extreme scenario) | Structural/Player | Extreme |
No India vs Pakistan matches could shake ICC’s revenue model
Broadcasters are another major factor. They paid around 3 billion dollars for ICC media rights in this cycle and rely heavily on India vs Pakistan matches to make profits. One India vs Pakistan match can generate around 250 million dollars or more.
Across four ICC tournaments, broadcasters expect to earn nearly 1 billion dollars from four such matches. If India vs Pakistan games do not happen, total revenue drops sharply, affecting how much money all cricket boards receive in this cycle.
