Pakistan May End Boycott Dispute in Exchange for Higher ICC Revenue: Report

New Delhi- The deadlock over the February 15 T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India appears to be nearing resolution, with reports suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may seek an increase in its annual financial share from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Earlier, the Pakistan government announced that its national team would not participate in the group-stage match against India scheduled at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15. The move was expected to result in losses exceeding $250 million for global cricket.

However, the PCB is reportedly engaged in informal negotiations with the ICC, with Singapore Cricket Association’s Imran Khawaj and Oman’s Pankaj Khimji acting as mediators. According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net
), sources close to the discussions indicated that a resolution may soon be reached, allowing the tournament’s highest revenue-generating match to proceed.

Sources stated that Pakistan’s firm stance has strengthened its position to negotiate long-standing demands. Cricket administrators have previously argued that Pakistan plays a crucial role in one of the sport’s most commercially significant fixtures and therefore deserves a larger share of ICC funding.

The report noted that Pakistan currently receives $34.5 million annually from the ICC revenue pool, placing it fourth behind India, England, and Australia.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also attempting to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its position, as Sri Lanka, being a co-host, stands to incur substantial financial losses. A large number of Indian spectators travelling to Colombo, along with significant ticket sales for the match, are key revenue sources at stake.

In addition to seeking increased funding, Pakistan is reportedly urging the ICC to facilitate the resumption of bilateral cricket ties with India. However, sources indicated that such a move remains unlikely, as the decision to suspend full bilateral series rests with the Indian government rather than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“Unless New Delhi approves the resumption of ties, there is little possibility of bilateral series being revived,” the source said. The report also suggested that Pakistan may stress adherence to the spirit of the game, urging Indian players to maintain customary sporting gestures, such as post-match handshakes.

The PCB has reportedly conveyed to the mediators that it would attempt to convince the Pakistan government to allow the match if its demands are met.

With inputs from IANS