Pakistan could ‘bear losses’ worth INR 2300 crore for T20 World Cup no-show against India: ‘They have no backers at ICC’

“PCB will be made to bear the losses for their no-show,” an official told The Hindustan Times.

Updated on: Feb 2, 2026, 14:14:45 IST

Written by Aditya Bhattacharya

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With less than two weeks to go for the marquee T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan, the deadlock between ICC and the PCB is expected to produce more fireworks after the two boards stand at opposite ends of the spectrum. Pakistan have pulled out of the February 15 match against India, but the ICC wants the PCB to reconsider its decision, with failure to do so risking sanctions.

An ICC punishment looms for PCB and its cricketers (PTI)

Also Read: Pakistan boycott India T20 World Cup match LIVE Updates

However, if the PCB doesn’t budge, the ramifications could be severe, with a highly likely scenario in which the board pays the entire loss out of its own pocket. Given how gargantuan the India vs Pakistan beast is in terms of broadcasting, advertising, and revenue, the value of an IND-PAK match is expected to be around US$250 million, roughly translating to ₹2300 crore, according to media outlets such as The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. And with the ICC not expected to let it brush it under the carpet, several sanctions could be on the table, including paying the entire amount out of its own pocket.

‘PCB has no backers at ICC’

“PCB will be made to bear the losses for their no-show,” an official told Hindustan Times. “The PCB has no backers in the ICC. Not only do they stand to lose their share from ICC revenue based on their hardline stance, it will be difficult to secure NOCs for overseas players from various countries for the Pakistan Super League. PCB’s bilateral agreements with various cricket boards will come under strain.”

Despite strained relations between India and Pakistan following last year's Pahalgam terrorist attacks, no international match between the two sides has yet been called off. The only two games that were cancelled were at the World Championship of Legends last July, as the senior men’s and the Under-19 teams played each other repeatedly, including their respective Asia Cups. However, with PCB announcing their decision to ‘not take the field’ in Colombo, this infamous first could land the board in a huge hole.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Bhattacharya
Aditya Bhattacharya is the Sports Editor at Hindustan Times Digital, with close to 15 years of experience in sports journalism. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading media organisations including Cricbuzz, The Times of India, Network18 and Zee. Primarily a cricket writer, Aditya has covered several marquee events, including the 2016 ICC World T20, the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and the 2023 World Cup in India. His reporting portfolio also includes international cricket across England, South Africa and New Zealand, along with forays into tennis, including coverage of the Australian Open. He has interviewed several prominent athletes across sports. Aditya began his career with a brief stint at CricketNext before getting his first major break at Cricbuzz, where he was part of the Times Network’s startup venture GoCricket, which later merged with Cricbuzz. After nearly 18 months there, he moved to The Times of India, covering his first World Cup assignment and reporting first-hand on landmark moments such as Virat Kohli’s iconic innings against Australia in Mohali. During his three-year tenure, he played a key role in both reporting and desk operations and was recognised as TOI Employee of the Quarter in 2016. He later joined Zee, where he covered the 2019 World Cup across five venues in England—an assignment he considers a career highlight. At Hindustan Times, Aditya’s leadership came to the fore as he was promoted to lead the sports team within 18 months. Under his stewardship, the section has delivered extensive coverage of global sporting events, including the IPL, Olympics, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. In 2024, he was named HT DigiStar of the Year. Aditya continues to adapt to the evolving digital publishing landscape, with a sharp focus on search and audience engagement. Outside work, he occasionally plays the guitar and remains an avid gamer.Read More

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