The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in a bind. The Pakistan government’s decision to boycott India at the T20 World Cup 2026 could lead to massive losses for the international cricket body.
Due to the strained relationship between India and Pakistan, the two arch-rivals only meet in multi-nation events. Namely, the ICC events: T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy. And the ACC events: all forms of the Asia Cup.
High demand for India vs Pakistan matches
The scarcity of India vs Pakistan matches creates a huge demand for the clashes. Broadcasters are willing to pay massive sums of money for ICC events, on the precondition that India and Pakistan meet. That’s why the two teams are often placed in the same group at ICC events.
According to The Age, the ongoing broadcast rights cycle for men’s ICC events from 2023 to 2027 is valued at US$3 billion (INR 27,465 crore approximately). Over 40% of this broadcast money comes from India vs Pakistan matches.
In the last 3 years, the two nations have met at each ICC event. The 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, and 2025 Champions Trophy. Each of these games has been valued at $250 million (INR 2289 crore approximately).
ICC sweating bullets
If the upcoming India vs Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup 2026 doesn’t go ahead as planned, the ICC is expected to lose a quarter of a billion dollars. The rights holder, JioStar, will suffer losses and would, in turn, ask ICC to either pay them or reduce the value for the cycle.
If that happens, not only will the revenue for all cricket nations decrease, but the ICC could sanction the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) by withholding their earnings from the T20 World Cup 2026.
Cricket
ICC could suffer INR 2289 crore loss if Pakistan boycotts India match in T20 World Cup
