New Delhi: In cricket, nothing is bigger than India facing their arch-rivals Pakistan, and that too in an ICC event. Add the political tension, coupled with the fact that these two teams never play each other except for the ICC fixtures, the result is a no-brainer, it’s box-office stuff! Cricket fans across the globe are waiting patiently for the next Champions Trophy which will be held in Pakistan to see one more such thrilling encounter, however, the fate of the marquee event hangs in balance as India has made it clear that it would not be travelling to Pakistan.
The BCCI has requested the ICC to hold India's fixtures outside Pakistan, citing government decision. Pakistan took a firm stance that it will not be willing to host India's matches outside as it wanted to host the entire tournament in their country. As the stalemate between the two nations continue, all eyes are on the ICC meeting where a final decision is expected to be announced soon.
As per the latest update, the ICC has asked Pakistan to consider "Hybrid Model" where all matches of India will be scheduled outside, most likely in UAE, with Pakistan holding the hosting rights.
Why ICC Needs India-Pakistan Rivalry?
To say that without India-Pakistan match, ICC Champions trophy might not even be possible does not look like an exaggeration. Cricket's global body, the ICC, recently secured a staggering $3.2 billion from broadcasting rights for the 2024-2027 cycle, a figure heavily reliant on marquee matchups like the India-Pakistan games. These high-stakes clashes consistently shatter viewership records, serving as a cornerstone for the ICC's revenue projections.
For instance, the India-Pakistan match during the 2023 World Cup drew a record 173 million viewers on Indian television and an additional 225 million digital viewers worldwide. Similarly, their 2021 T20 World Cup face-off attracted 167 million viewers, generating an engagement of 15.9 billion minutes in India alone. The absence of such blockbuster games could significantly impact ICC’s broadcast revenues and sponsorship deals, posing a threat to its financial stability.
If either India or even Pakistan decides to boycott the ICC event, it will also have a huge impact on world cricket. ICC's revenue distribution model depends heavily on such blockbuster matches like India-Pakistan to make big profits. This revenue is distributed to other cricket boards who otherwise cannot sustain on their own. If ICC's revenue is impacted it could also cripple the expansion of cricket across the globe.
What's At Stake For Pakistan?
It won't be easy for Pakistan to boycott the ICC event as it will end up losing USD 65 million dealing a massive financial blow to the PCB. In all likelihood, Pakistan will eventually agree to the "Hybrid Model" and keep the hosting right and the money, considering the fragile state of not just PCB but the country overall. Furthermore, if the tournament is either postponed or moved to any other country, the PCB risks facing ICC sanctions, including cuts to substantial ICC funding, if it withdraws.