The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may suffer losses, legal proceedings and even isolation if they withdraw from the Champions Trophy.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the Champions Trophy will held in a hybrid model. There was a month-long tussle between the BCCI and the PCB over the Champions Trophy. Pakistan is to host the event in 2025. But the BCCI said that the Indian team won’t travel to Pakistan citing security issues.
BCCI wanted the tournament to be played in a hybrid model. But, the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to accept this. They said that they will withdraw from the tournament if it’s played in a hybrid model or even moved away from Pakistan.
After a meeting with the ICC, the PCB finally agreed to the hybrid model. India will now play their matches in Dubai. The PCB has said that they won’t travel to India for the ICC hosted by the BCCI.
A senior cricket administrator, well acquainted with ICC events told PTI that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may face losses and legal lawsuits if their hybrid model formula is not accepted by the ICC and the BCCI.
Troubles for Pakistan if ICC and BCCI don’t agree on hybrid model for Champions Trophy in entirety
He said, “Pakistan has not only signed a host agreement with the ICC. But, like all other participating nations in the event, it has also signed a mandatory Members’ Participation Agreement (MPA) with the ICC”.
He continued, “It is only after a member nation signs the MPA for playing in an ICC event that it is eligible to get a share of revenues earned from ICC events.
Most importantly when the ICC signed a broadcast deal for all its events, it has given a guarantee that all ICC members are available to play in their events including the Champions Trophy”.
He further added, “The estimated bid a broadcaster makes for a long-term deal with the ICC. It is only after he has calculated the estimated value of all matches involving all countries.
It is no surprise that the broadcaster offsets his loss of revenues from other matches. The estimated earnings from selling commercial spots and other rights for the Pakistan and India fixtures”.
He said that the PCB could face a ‘tricky situation’. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has to come clean on this issue. He said that unless the PCB has some safeguard clauses in their host agreement, it will be difficult for them.
The truth is the ICC kept on sweeping the issue. Whether India would send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, under the carpet or ignoring it even when this elephant in the room was brought to their notice several times since the board granted hosting rights to Pakistan”.
