
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself in grave financial disaster after it hosted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This was the first global cricket tournament held in Pakistan in the last 29 years, marking a significant moment in the sport's history in the country.
However, it was a financial and logistical ctastrophe, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) losing 85% of its money after spending INR 869 crore on only one completed home game during the tournament.
According to an article in The Telegraph, PCB spent PKR 18 billion (approximately $58 million) to upgrade each of the three venues in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. This was 50% more than their budget. In addition, they spent $40 million on event planning. However, they only earned $6 million in return for the hosting fee and proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships. This suggests that PCB lost approximately $85 million.
Not to mention that the Mohammad Rizwan-led team played only one home game, against New Zealand, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Their next match, against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, was rained out without even a toss. Two of the remaining eight matches in Pakistan finished in the same fashion.
The study also stated that the players were subjected to the harsh effects of the 'financial misadventure', with match fees in the national T20 competition lowered by 90% and reserve player salaries reduced by 87.5%.
These cricketers, who were previously housed in five-star hotels, now live in modest accommodations while administrators continue to earn millions of dollars.
Pakistani national daily Dawn reported: "The PCB had recently reduced match fees from ₹40,000 to ₹10,000 without any official announcement…however PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi intervened, rejecting the decision and directing the board's domestic cricket department to reassess the matter. While the PCB has yet to officially disclose the revised amount, sources indicate it has been set at ₹30,000 per match — ₹10,000 less than last year."
