Pakistan has a chance to host an ICC tournament after about 28 years. The Pakistan Cricket Board spent a lot of money to make it grand and renovate the stadium. However, the BCCI stopped it by not sending Team India to Pakistan. The Indian Cricket Board demands that this tournament be held on a ‘hybrid model’ like the Asia Cup, while the Pakistan Cricket Board is not ready. It wants to host it completely at any cost. Both the boards are adamant about their demand. In such a situation, the question arises of what options the ICC and PCB will have left and their impact on Pakistan.
What Options Are Left With The ICC and PCB?
No ICC tournament has been organized in Pakistan since 1996. Security arrangements have been a big reason behind this. However, big teams like Australia, England and New Zealand have visited Pakistan in the last few years. By hosting the Champions Trophy, the PCB wanted to improve its image completely from a security point of view, but the BCCI spoiled it.
However, after India’s refusal, it was demanded that Team India be removed and Sri Lanka be given entry as the eighth team. However, no ICC tournament could be successful without the Indian team. The reason behind this is the money coming from broadcasting. Team India has a huge fan following, due to which both the number of viewers and the income increase. At the same time, the broadcasting rights of this tournament are also with the Indian company.
In such a situation, PCB and ICC have only 3 options amidst this controversy. First, the Pakistan Cricket Board should agree to the hybrid model and shift 5 out of 15 matches, including the final and semi-final of the tournament, to UAE or any other country. Second, the ICC should shift the Champions Trophy from Pakistan to another country. The third and last option is that it should be postponed indefinitely.
PCB May Suffer Heavy Losses
If the PCB chooses any of these options, it will suffer losses. Pakistan will earn the most from matches against India, but it will suffer heavy losses if it accepts the hybrid model. Its fees will also be cut. On the other hand, if the ICC hosts the entire tournament in another country, then the Pakistan Cricket Board can withdraw its name. PCB will suffer losses from this. ICC can ban it and include another team.
On the other hand, if the Champions Trophy is postponed indefinitely, Pakistan will lose the hosting fees, and the expenses to beautify the stadium will be completely wasted. If the report of Cricbuzz is to be believed, then in these three situations, the Pakistan Cricket Board can suffer a loss of up to 65 million dollars, or about 548 lakh rupees.
