The recent terrorist Pahalgam attack has sent shockwaves across India, prompting the government to take stern measures on multiple fronts, including sports. One of the biggest sporting repercussions comes in the form of India’s renewed push to isolate Pakistan in international cricket — a move that could have a significant financial impact on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Though bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended since the 2012-13 series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now seeking to further limit encounters between the two nations in ICC tournaments. The BCCI has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to avoid placing India and Pakistan in the same groups for upcoming global events such as the ICC World Cup and Champions Trophy.
Why This Matters Financially
The PCB earns approximately 5.75% of the ICC’s total revenue share annually — a sizable chunk that relies heavily on global viewership, much of it driven by India. India-Pakistan matches are known to draw enormous global audiences and massive advertisement revenues. According to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India vs Pakistan clashes have generated over ₹10,000 crore (around $1.3 billion) in revenue over the past two decades.
In fact, advertisers are known to pay astronomical rates — up to ₹25-30 lakh for a 10-second slot — during these high-voltage fixtures. The ICC too benefits significantly from these encounters, as they tend to be the most watched games of any tournament.
With the BCCI now pressuring the ICC to avoid such matchups, the ripple effect could see a major dip in overall tournament revenues, which would directly affect the PCB’s earnings from ICC distributions. If Pakistan continues to underperform — failing to reach the knockouts, as seen in recent ICC events — and no India-Pakistan fixture takes place at all, it will be a double blow to both their cricketing relevance and financial intake.
Broadcast and Digital Clampdown
Beyond the ICC angle, the Indian market is closing doors on Pakistani cricket across platforms. Following the Pahalgam attack, the broadcast of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been blocked in India. Future international fixtures involving Pakistan are also unlikely to be shown on Indian television networks, cutting off a significant chunk of revenue from Indian broadcasters.
Social media has not been spared either. Several Pakistani cricket personalities, including Shoaib Akhtar, Rashid Latif, and Basit Ali, have reportedly seen their YouTube channels restricted or shadow-banned in India. These platforms previously provided them with substantial income — largely thanks to the Indian viewership — and their demonetisation represents yet another economic setback.
PCB’s Financial Struggles to Deepen
The PCB has already been under immense financial strain, plagued by administrative instability and lack of international fixtures at home due to security concerns. The added pressure of India’s financial and diplomatic disengagement is likely to exacerbate the board’s challenges.
Even former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had openly admitted the board’s dependency on Indian-generated revenues. In October 2021, Raja had said:
“The ICC is a politicised body divided between the Asian and Western blocs. Ninety percent of its revenues are generated from India. It is frightening.”
“In a way, India’s business houses are running Pakistan cricket. If tomorrow the Indian PM decides to cut off that financial link, the PCB could collapse.”
A Strategic Isolation With Major Implications
India’s strategy isn’t just about limiting cricket ties — it’s a broader effort to diplomatically and economically isolate Pakistan in global forums, including sport. The cricketing boycott may be symbolic on the surface, but its financial and operational ramifications for Pakistan cricket are profound.
If this trend continues, the PCB will be forced to rely more heavily on internal resources, alternate broadcasting deals, and support from non-Asian cricket boards — a tough ask considering the current geopolitical climate.
In essence, what was once one of the most anticipated rivalries in cricket could now become a rarity, not just due to politics but as a consequence of economic isolation — and for the PCB, that could spell long-term trouble.
