For 16 years, India’s cricket team has not toured Pakistan due to political tensions, and the Indian government has now decided against sending the team to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The ICC has already informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of India’s decision via email.
While teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa have toured Pakistan safely in recent years, India has consistently refused to send a team, citing security concerns. Pakistan’s government has responded to this perceived unfairness by announcing plans to take a tougher stance.
According to AFP and other media outlets, Pakistan’s government has often said that politics should not interfere with international tournaments. Yet, given India’s continued disregard for this, Pakistan is now considering restrictions on matches against India. Following government orders, the PCB is also planning to avoid playing India or sending teams to India in the future – effectively calling for a boycott.
From 2025 to 2031, India is set to host four major ICC events: the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025, the T20 World Cup in 2026, the Champions Trophy in 2029, and the Men’s ODI World Cup in 2031. If Pakistan chooses not to participate in these tournaments hosted in India, or if the events are relocated and Pakistan still refuses to play against India, the ICC could face substantial financial losses.
The ICC often places India and Pakistan in the same group to boost viewership and revenue, as these matches consistently draw massive audiences. However, if Pakistan boycotts matches in India or against India, viewership could decline, potentially leading broadcasters and sponsors to withdraw. This would negatively impact the ICC’s revenue expectations.
Broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals are the ICC’s biggest revenue sources. In the 2024–2027 cycle, the ICC expects $3.2 billion from broadcasting rights and an additional $1 billion from other sources. The India-Pakistan matchups are a huge draw, generating record viewership and interest among cricket fans globally.
An ICC source emphasized the significance of the India-Pakistan matches for global cricket, saying, “Without the India-Pakistan matches, broadcasters and sponsors would likely pull out of agreements.”
The recent India-Pakistan ODI World Cup match in Ahmedabad generated unprecedented interest, with 173 million viewers tuning in on Indian TV channels and even more on digital platforms, reaching 225 million viewers in total. Disney Plus Hotstar reported that the match set a world record for live viewership on its streaming platform.
Reduced revenue for the ICC would ultimately impact world cricket, as lower revenue distribution to cricket boards could hinder the growth and development of the sport globally.
