Pakistan will not find it easy to go ahead with its threat to pull out from the ongoing Asia Cup after seeking ICC match referee Andy Pycroft's removal as any such move could result in revenue losses to the tune of US $12 to 16 million for them.
Five Test-playing nations, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, earn 15 per cent 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 other heads. From this Asia Cup alone, the Pakistan Cricket Board's projected earning is between US $12 to 16 million, and any decision of a pullout could hit the fund-starved PCB hard.
Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) had signed an eight-year deal (2024-2031) with the ACC for US $170 million. The deal also includes broadcast of women's Asia Cup and the Under-19 men's Asia Cup. Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds the post of federal minister for interior and narcotics control in Pakistan, is currently the head of the 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 the 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 amount to roughly 7 per cent of the annual PCB revenue. "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,” said a PCB official, requesting anonymity.
Also read: ICC dismisses PCB's plea to remove match referee
It is evident that if the PCB decides to pull out, it would be left alone in the ACC boardroom, where other directors might object if it gets the 15 per cent annual share without playing the matches of a major event.
Naqvi, as the head of the ACC, will also have to bear the brunt and face the ire of the official broadcaster, which can refuse to pay the fee agreed upon. The India-Pakistan match is the biggest revenue generator and a pullout would potentially mean huge loss for the broadcaster, which always sells advertisement slots for the marquee match at a premium.
Considering that Naqvi and Pakistan have a lot to lose and very little to gain, Pycroft is likely to continue as the referee in Pakistan’s match against the UAE on Wednesday unless other ACC nations decide to offer them some leeway by swapping Pycroft and Richie Richardson's matches.
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