The International Cricket Council (ICC) is bracing for significant financial repercussions following the Pakistan government's announcement that its team will boycott their T20 World Cup match against India. The highly anticipated match, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, is a major revenue generator for the ICC and a key fixture in the tournament.
The potential losses for the ICC are estimated to be substantial. Direct losses could reach up to $50 million, with broader damage to broadcast and sponsorship deals potentially soaring to $300 million. A Cricbuzz report suggests that the ICC could lose 200 Crores or more if the match is called off. Each India game in a global ICC event is valued at approximately $10-11 million (roughly 100 crores INR), and the India-Pakistan clash was projected to generate approximately 200 crores INR or more. Advertisement rates for an India-Pakistan T20 game command premium rates, and the advertisement revenue loss alone could exceed Rs 200 crore.
Pakistan's decision to boycott the match stems from the ICC's refusal to relocate Bangladesh's matches from India, a request that Pakistan supported. The Pakistan government conveyed its decision through an official statement, stating that while the team would participate in the T20 World Cup, they would not play against India.
The ICC has reacted strongly to Pakistan's stance, cautioning the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider the "significant and long-term implications for cricket" in their country. The ICC has also stated that Pakistan's "selective participation" is difficult to reconcile with the premise of a global sporting event. Sources indicate that the ICC could contemplate expelling Pakistan from the World Cup and future ICC tournaments if the PCB proceeds with the boycott.
The PCB also stands to suffer significant financial losses. Analysts estimate that the board could face losses exceeding $38 million, encompassing forfeited broadcaster revenue, sponsorship payouts, and ICC participation fees. If the match doesn't occur, both boards could lose around Rs 200 crore each in direct and indirect revenue. While this loss is considered manageable for India, it poses an existential threat for Pakistan. The PCB receives 5.75% of the total ICC revenue, approximately $34.51 million annually, a pipeline that depends on compliance, reliability, and participation.
Possible sanctions against the PCB include withholding annual revenue payouts, requiring the PCB to compensate broadcasters for revenue loss, and member boards refusing to play bilateral series with Pakistan. The ICC might also deny No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and potentially exclude Pakistan from the Asia Cup. If the ICC decides to compensate broadcasters from the PCB's annual share of ICC revenue, the PCB could lose around 70-80% of the $34.5 million they currently receive from the ICC.
According to ICC's playing conditions, Pakistan will lose two points from the match, and their net run rate will also be negatively impacted. India and Pakistan are in Group A, along with the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage.
The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8. The tournament will feature 20 teams competing in 55 matches across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka.