The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are unlikely to call their team back from the 2025 Asia Cup. In the aftermath of the handshake debacle, PCB had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft.
The PCB believed that Pycroft had sided with India and demanded his immediate removal from the match official panels for the Asia Cup. If their demands weren’t met, the PCB had threatened to pull out of the tournament.
ICC sanction looms large over PCB’s head
However, the ICC has rejected their plea. They believe Pycroft merely conveyed Team India’s message to Pakistan and had little to no say in the matter. So, would this mean that Pakistan will boycott the UAE match and get knocked out of the Asia Cup?
The answer’s no. The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, may wish to pull out, but a lot is at stake. It’s feared that Jay Shah, the current Chairman of the ICC and former BCCI Secretary, will impose heavy sanctions on Pakistan if they do so.
“It is very unlikely that the PCB will pull out from the Asia Cup. If we do that, ICC, led by Jay Shah, will put heavy sanctions on the PCB, and this is something our board cannot afford. The financial situation post the Champions Trophy, where all the stadiums were renovated, is not good,” a PCB source told the Times of India.
PCB to incur losses over Asia Cup pullout
But that isn’t all. The PCB might also lose out on its share of the annual revenue from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This would amount to PKR 454 crore. Furthermore, as President of the ACC, the broadcasters will question Naqvi regarding Pakistan pulling out.
Mind you, there’s a huge possibility of another India vs Pakistan match happening. Salman Ali Agha’s team is expected to beat the UAE. If that happens, the arch-rivals will meet again on September 21 in Dubai. And if they both qualify, they’ll face off in the Asia Cup Final.
How do the broadcasters miss out on the two biggest matches in all of world cricket? There will be serious questions raised. The broadcasters might end the 8-year deal with ACC over it or refuse to pay the agreed-upon amount. Naqvi can’t afford this or angering the ICC.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Will Gambhir try Rishabh Pant or Nitish Reddy in IND vs SA 3rd ODI with series on the line?
Top Stories
