Pakistan is facing one of its biggest funding problems in years, and the situation could get even worse if the International Cricket Council (ICC) decides to punish them. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in serious danger after refusing to play India in the T20 World Cup 2026.
PCB faces major financial crisis after India’s refusal to play the match
This controversial decision could put Pakistan Cricket Board’s billions of rupees at risk and shake their financial foundation. Pakistan is expected to receive a total of about US$144 million during the ICC’s 2024-27 financial cycle, which amounts to about $38 million (about PKR 40 billion) every year, PTI reported.
This money has been the PCB’s main support system, helping them pay salaries, run domestic cricket, manage international tours and cover rising costs. If the ICC decides to cut, delay or freeze this amount as a penalty for refusing to play India, Pakistan may face a major financial blow.
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However, the Pakistan board has already received some payments from the global body. They made money from the 2024 T20 World Cup and also had additional income from hosting the Champions Trophy last year. Pakistan earned an additional $6 million from the total budget of $70 million for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Heavy expenses and limited earnings increase pressure
However, the board also spent heavily on hosting the event, but was able to host only one home match during the Champions Trophy. India losing their home matches meant they lost massive revenue. Apart from this, PCB has also spent huge amount on infrastructure.
About PKR 18 billion was invested in upgrading stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. Work is still going on at these places, which has reduced the board’s earnings and increased 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 that Pakistan has no valid reason, such as force majeure, to skip India’s match at the mega event in Colombo on September 15.
Future ICC payments and legal risks worry PCB
Since the PCB has signed the Participating Nations Agreement, it is legally bound to play the scheduled matches, and failure to do so can result in heavy fines and compensation claims.
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“Basically, if the ICC decides to punish Pakistan for not playing India, the PCB could take a huge financial hit as its ICC stake in the current financial cycle is around PKR 40 billion,” PTI quoted an insider as saying.
The PCB is yet to get its share from this year’s T20 World Cup and next year’s 50-over World Cup and this is where the ICC can impose financial penalties.
| Sl.No. | Possible ICC sanction | impact range | severity level |
| 1 | World Test Championship (WTC) loss of points | sporting | High |
| 2 | Negative impact on ICC team rankings | sporting | High |
| 3 | Top cricket playing countries may refuse to tour Pakistan for bilateral series | Sports/Financial | Very high |
| 4 | Ban on foreign players participating in Pakistan Super League (PSL) | financial/league | Very high |
| 5 | ICC may bar PCB from receiving share of central revenue | financial | extreme |
| 6 | No participation/hosting fees from ICC events | financial | High |
| 7 | Pakistani players banned from playing in foreign leagues | sports/financial | High |
| 8 | Pakistan may lose ICC hosting rights for a long period | Hosting/Financial | Very high |
| 9 | Heavy financial penalty – fine up to 3× the participation amount | financial | extreme |
| 10 | Long-term structural and financial damage to PCBs | structural | extreme |
| 11 | Actions to force Pakistani cricketers to change representation (extreme scenario) | structural/player | extreme |
No India vs Pakistan match could shake ICC’s revenue model
Broadcasters are another major factor. They paid around $3 billion for ICC media rights this cycle and relied heavily on India vs Pakistan matches to make profits. An India vs Pakistan match can earn around $250 million or more.
Across the four ICC tournaments, broadcasters are expected to earn around $1 billion from four such matches. If the India vs Pakistan games do not take place, the overall revenue will decline sharply, affecting the amount of money all cricket boards receive in this cycle.