Dubai: Pakistan’s reported threat to pull out from the ongoing Asia Cup after demanding ICC match referee Andy Pycroft’s removal won’t be particularly easy to go ahead with as any such move could result in a revenue loss of anything between USD 12 to 16 million for the country. Five Test-playing nations — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan — earn 15 percent each constituting 75 per cent of the Asian Cricket Council’s annual revenue. The remaining 25 per cent is shared by Associate nations.
The revenue verticals include share from broadcast deals (linear and digital), various sponsorships, and ticketing among others. From this Asia Cup alone, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s projected earning is between USD 12 to 16 million and any decision of a pullout could well spell doom for a cricketing body which isn’t as flush with cash as the BCCI. Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) inked an eight-year deal (2024-2031) with the ACC for $170 million. The deal also includes broadcast of women’s Asia Cup and the Under-19 men’s Asia Cup.
Naqvi, who also holds the post of Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control in Pakistan, is currently the head of ACC as well. But in his capacity as PCB chief, he has not minced words while lashing out at Pycroft, holding him responsible for the furore that was triggered by the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players after their match on Sunday. The ICC has refused to remove Pycroft, rejecting PCB’s demand.
“Can Naqvi risk Pakistan losing around $16 million out of a projected budget of $227 million for the fiscal year? That will be roughly seven per cent of the annual PCB revenue gone. “It will be walking on thin ice for him. But again as one of the important ministers of Pakistan, he also needs to keep his respect in front of his countrymen,” a source privy to developments in PCB told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
It is clear that if PCB decides to pull out then it would be left alone in the ACC board room where other directors might object to it getting the 15 per cent annual share without playing the matches of a marquee event. Naqvi, as the head of ACC, will also have to bear the brunt and face the ire of the official broadcaster, which can refuse to pay the agreed upon fee.
The India-Pakistan match is the biggest revenue generator and a pull-out would potentially mean huge loss for the broadcaster which always sells advertisement slots for the marquee match at a premium. In all, Naqvi and Pakistan have a lot to lose and very little to gain. Therefore, Pycroft is likely to continue as the referee in their game against the UAE on Wednesday. Unless other ACC nations decide to offer them some leeway by swapping Pycroft and Richie Richardson’s matches.
