An India–Pakistan clash in an ICC tournament is widely regarded as the single most lucrative fixture in world cricket, generating an estimated USD 250 million (over Rs 2,200 crore) in combined revenue. With Pakistan announcing its decision to boycott the marquee match against India at the upcoming T20 World Cup, the financial repercussions are expected to be severe for all stakeholders involved.
Such is the global pull of the contest between the arch-rivals—who now only face each other in multi-team events due to strained bilateral relations—that the International Cricket Council (ICC) routinely places India and Pakistan in the same group at every world tournament to maximise viewership and commercial returns.
Pakistan Government Confirms Boycott of India Clash
On Sunday, the Pakistan government formally announced that the national team would not take the field against India in the high-profile Group A match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, despite participating in the rest of the tournament.
If Pakistan maintains its stance, it risks forfeiting millions in revenue while also inflicting significant financial damage on the ICC and the tournament’s broadcast partners.
Broadcasters and ICC Staring at Massive Losses
The absence of the India–Pakistan fixture is particularly damaging for India’s media rights holder JioStar, which is already in talks with the ICC to renegotiate a USD 3 billion global broadcast deal.
Industry estimates suggest that the host broadcaster alone could lose Rs 200–250 crore in advertising revenue from the abandoned fixture. For context, a 10-second commercial slot during an India–Pakistan game can cost up to Rs 40 lakh, underlining the unmatched commercial value of the encounter.
While a walkover would hand India full points, the ICC retains the authority to impose financial penalties on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for violating tournament participation norms.
Former ICC Official Explains the Financial Gap
Former ICC and PCB communications head Sami-ul-Hasan Burney highlighted the staggering disparity between the value of a single India–Pakistan game and Pakistan’s overall cricketing revenue.
“As regards the sanctions or the losses, the one match is costing USD 250 million (everything accounted for, not just broadcaster’s loss). Pakistan’s annual revenue is USD 35.5 million, so there is a big, big difference,” Burney told PTI.
The Sydney Morning Herald, citing industry sources familiar with confidential negotiations, also reported that each India–Pakistan match is valued at around USD 250 million, driven by a global audience exceeding one billion viewers.
ICC Pushback Highlights Sporting Integrity
The ICC’s strongly worded statement following Pakistan’s announcement reflected the governing body’s concern over the implications of selective participation.
“This position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule,” the ICC said.
“ICC tournaments are built on sporting integrity, competitiveness, consistency and fairness, and selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions.”
Despite the controversy, Pakistan has travelled to Colombo to participate in its other group matches in the tournament, which begins on February 7.
Hybrid Model Makes PCB’s Stand Hard to Defend
With the ICC, BCCI and PCB having agreed to a hybrid model for India–Pakistan matches until 2027, Pakistan’s refusal to play India at a neutral venue such as Colombo is likely to be difficult to justify.
The latest standoff can be traced back to the wider ICC-Bangladesh dispute, triggered after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL following BCCI instructions. That episode eventually led to Bangladesh withdrawing from the tournament, prompting the ICC to replace them—an action that later drew Pakistan into the controversy.
As matters stand, the boycott threatens not just revenues, but also the competitive and commercial backbone of ICC events built around cricket’s most watched rivalry.