As clouds of doubt loom over the future of the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself bracing for a significant financial blow. With ongoing tensions surrounding the tournament’s venue and India’s reluctance to participate in meetings held in Dhaka, PCB’s expected windfall from ICC and ACC events could shrink drastically.
USD 25.9 Million in Jeopardy
According to a well-placed source within PCB, the board anticipates a total of USD 25.9 million (approximately PKR 7.7 billion) from the ICC this year alone. In addition to this, they have budgeted PKR 1.16 billion from the Asia Cup and PKR 7.77 million from other international events.
“The revenues from these two major sources — ICC and Asia Cup — are very important for the financial health of Pakistan cricket,” the insider stated.
ACC Meeting Boycott and Growing Isolation
The uncertainty intensified after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi opted not to attend the recent ICC meetings in Singapore in person, choosing instead to participate virtually. Sources confirm that PCB CEO Sumair Ahmed, who attended on behalf of the board, “didn’t get positive responses” from officials representing the BCCI, Sri Lanka, or Afghanistan regarding their attendance at the ACC meeting scheduled for July 24 in Dhaka.
One PCB insider revealed,
“The PCB met with plenty of resistance to the ACC scheduling the meeting in Dhaka. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman, and a few other associate member boards were adamant about not travelling to Dhaka.”
BCCI’s Silent Protest?
While not officially confirmed, the BCCI’s absence from the ICC sidelines discussions and refusal to commit to the Dhaka meeting is being seen as a soft boycott. This casts further doubt over the Asia Cup’s timeline and format, which is currently penciled in for September 2025.
Initially, India was supposed to host the tournament. However, due to diplomatic tensions and PCB’s resistance, the venue situation remains unresolved. The UAE now appears to be the most probable neutral host if things don’t stabilize.
PCB’s 18.8 Billion Budget Under Threat
Despite the uncertainties, the PCB’s annual budget stands at a whopping PKR 18.8 billion, with a PKR 2.5 billion revenue forecast from the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Any disruptions in the Asia Cup could make a dent in their broader financial planning, affecting both domestic cricket and infrastructure projects.
What Lies Ahead?
If the Asia Cup doesn’t go ahead or is further delayed, the PCB may lose both direct revenues and strategic positioning within the ACC and ICC ecosystem. Moreover, a lack of cooperation from other boards hints at a growing isolation for Pakistan cricket on the governance table.
