Just days after Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed India’s participation in the 2025 Asia Cup—ending weeks of speculation following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—the BCCI has stirred fresh uncertainty around the tournament. This has left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) facing the possibility of a massive financial setback.
According to a PTI report, the PCB was expecting to earn around ₹264 crore this year, including ₹34.8 crore from the Asia Cup and another ₹23.31 lakh from various international fixtures, as part of its revenue share from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). A large chunk—approximately USD 25.9 million (around ₹770 crore)—was earmarked as Pakistan’s ICC share for the current fiscal year.
“These revenues from ICC and the Asia Cup are vital for the financial health of Pakistan cricket,” said a well-placed source within the PCB.
However, with the ACC yet to confirm whether the Asia Cup will proceed, the PCB is preparing for the worst. Tensions have escalated, particularly after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the ACC, skipped the recent ICC meetings in Singapore. Instead, he attended the sessions virtually, sending CEO Sumair Ahmed in his place.
PTI reported that Ahmed received little encouragement from other member boards—especially the BCCI, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan—regarding the ACC meeting scheduled for July 24 in Dhaka, where final plans for the Asia Cup were to be discussed.
“The idea of holding the meeting in Dhaka met with strong opposition,” an insider revealed. “India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman, and several associate members were against travelling to Bangladesh.”
The lack of consensus, coupled with off-the-record conversations during the ICC gathering, doesn’t bode well for the Asia Cup—originally scheduled for September 2025, with India initially slotted to host.
Rumours of India pulling out had emerged soon after the Pahalgam attack, straining cricketing ties with Pakistan. Mandaviya’s recent statement had calmed the waters somewhat. “India has no problem playing Pakistan in international tournaments where multiple nations are involved,” he said.
But just two days later, tensions flared again when veteran Indian cricketers, led by Yuvraj Singh, opted out of a World Championship of Legends fixture against Pakistan Champions in Birmingham, citing strong public backlash. The match was eventually cancelled by the organisers.
With no clarity on India’s commitment and waning support for ACC’s proposed meeting in Dhaka, the fate of the 2025 Asia Cup hangs in the balance—along with PCB’s financial expectations.
