India vs Pakistan cricket match is not just a match between players of two countries. It is a matter of prestige for the respective cricket boards and a matter of massive revenue for all the concerned sponsors, broadcasters and the ICC, who are responsible for arranging these tournaments.
Both India and Pakistan have a huge fan base of compassionate fans who often travel to any part of the world to cheer for their favorite team. This leads to the ICC garnering huge revenue from matches, and if such matches are affected, the entire financial backbone of the board faces huge turmoil.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan’s matches takes on even greater significance as both these teams have not been involved in bilateral matches for over a decade. They only play against each other in multi-national tournaments like the Asia Cup or the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Before conflict with India, Pakistan government reversed the decision of boycott
After much persuasion and requests from several cricket boards, the President of Sri Lanka and the BCB chief, the Pakistan government finally allowed their team to play against India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
He claimed that the decision was taken citing ICC atrocities against Bangladesh; However, Bangladesh thanked the PCB, their chief Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan fans and everyone for their remarkable sportsmanship and their widespread support for Bangladesh during this period.
While the SLC president and the head of the Emirates Cricket Board had already written officially to the PCB asking them not to boycott the game, the Pakistani government, after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket, BCB, PCB and ICC, agreed to the scheduled game.
Even Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, where he recalled how both of them have always stood shoulder to shoulder with each other in difficult times. Due to all this, Pakistan had to change its decision.
ICC saved from loss of $174 million due to Pakistan’s approval
It is an open secret that the India-Pakistan Games generate huge amounts of revenue for those involved in financial transactions as well as the ICC. Had this boycott been implemented the ICC would have faced massive financial losses.
The Pakistani government’s decision to cancel the boycott helped the ICC avoid a huge revenue loss of $174 million, which could have wiped out their profits from the tournament.
An Indian Express report said, “Cumulative losses will amount to approximately $174 million, including losses related to broadcasters, gate money and other sponsors.” Just minutes after the game got the green signal, there was a huge jump in flight prices for Mumbai-Colombo-Mumbai round trip, from Rs 10000 to Rs 60000.
Remaining schedule of Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan has played just one game in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. They defeated Netherlands by a narrow margin of 3 wickets in their opening game and will face rivals United States in their second game. This game is a highly anticipated contest, especially because the United States defeated them in the last World Cup.
After this, Pakistan will play its next match against India in the much-awaited competition on 15th February i.e. Sunday. Their last match of the tournament will be against Namibia. Therefore, if Pakistan beats the United States in the second game of their campaign then they can play against India with a free mind.
Also read: BCCI strict, brutally rejects Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya’s request for T20 World Cup
