Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB To Lose Upto Rs 140 Crore If It Pulls Out Of 2025 Asia Cup | Cricket News

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsi

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will lose revenue of USD 12-16 million (INR 105-141 crore) if it follows through on its threat of pulling out of the 2025 Asia Cup. According to a report by PTI, it would be a significant loss for the cash-strapped board, which makes it unlikely for them to go through with the withdrawal.

PCB began threatening to pull out of the tournament after accusing the match referee for the India game in the group stage (which the men’s team lost by seven wickets) of going against the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Code of Conduct. They said Andy Pycroft advised India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Agha not to shake hands at the toss, which was against the spirit of cricket.

Reports have claimed that the PCB has told the ICC that if they don’t heed their demands of sacking Pycroft from the Asia Cup, they’d no longer participate in the tournament. Now, even when the ICC is said to have rejected that demand, it seems unlikely that Pakistan will take the extreme step.

“Can Naqvi (Mohsin Naqvi, PCB chairman) risk Pakistan losing around USD 16 million out of a projected budget of USD 227 million for the fiscal year? That will be roughly seven per cent of the annual PCB revenue gone. It will be walking on thin ice for him. But again, as one of the important ministers of Pakistan, he also needs to keep his respect in front of his countrymen,” PTI quoted an anonymous official as saying.

The report said that PCB’s pull-out might get them cornered in an ACC board meeting, where other members could object to them getting their revenue share from the broadcast rights. The official broadcaster, Sony Sports, can also refuse to pay the agreed-upon fee because of the losses it might suffer.

Naqvi, who also holds the post of Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control in Pakistan, is currently the head of the Asian Cricket Council as well. Match referees are assigned by the ICC, but it’s unclear whether the ACC can remove Pycroft from the Pakistani games.

So, as of now, Pycroft is likely to officiate in Pakistan’s game against the UAE on Wednesday.