The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could suffer massive financial losses if they go ahead with their boycott of the clash against India in the T20 World Cup that was scheduled to be played on February 15 at the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo. The International Cricket Council (ICC) can penalise them for refusing to play the match and this can lead to them incurring huge losses financially.
PCB to incur huge financial penalties?
According to a report by PTI, Pakistan's share in ICC's current financial cycle 2024/27 comes to approximately USD 144 million with USD 38 million being distributed to PCB annually. While this has led to the cricket board being financially healthy, they can face challenges if the global cricket body decides to penalise them.
"Basically if the ICC decides to penalise Pakistan for not playing India, the PCB could take a big hit financially as the ICC share in the current financial cycle comes to approximately 40 billion PKR," an insider said.
The PCB is yet to receive the shares from the ICC for the 2026 T20 World and the 2027 ODI World Cup. This is where financial penalties can be imposed on them by the global cricket body.
"The PCB is yet to get shares from the T20 World Cup this year and from the 50-over World Cup next year and that is where the ICC could impose financial penalties," the insider further said.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan government had confirmed on Sunday that while the team have been allowed to participate in the T20 World Cup, they will not be taking the field for their clash against India. According to ICC's rulebook, if a team's captain fails to be present for the coin toss, then it would be considered as a forfeit and the opposing team will be handed the points.
India to reportedly follow the protocol
On the other hand, according to media reports, Team India are expected to follow the protocol and travel to Sri Lanka for the match. They will participate in training sessions and press-conferences as per the schedule and will wait for the match referee to call off the match.