By Nikhil

Copyright timesnownews

It would not be simple for Pakistan to follow through on its reported threat to withdraw from the current Asia Cup after requesting the dismissal of ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, as doing so might cost the nation anything from USD 12 to USD 16 million in revenue. Each of the five Test-playing countries—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—earns 15% of the Asian Cricket Council’s yearly earnings. The Associate nations split the remaining 25%. Among the revenue verticals are ticketing, various sponsorships, and the portion from linear and digital broadcast partnerships. The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to earn between USD 12 and USD 16 million from this Asia Cup alone, so any decision to pull out may mean disaster for a cricket board that is not as wealthy as the BCCI. For USD 170 million, Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) signed an eight-year agreement with the ACC (2024–2031). The Under-19 men’s and women’s Asia Cups will also be televised as part of the agreement. In addition to being the chairman of ACC, Naqvi is Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control. However, he has not held back in his criticism of Pycroft as PCB president, accusing him of causing the commotion that resulted from the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players following their game on Sunday. In defiance of the PCB’s demand, the ICC has declined to dismiss Pycroft. “Can Naqvi 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,” a source privy to developments in PCB told PTI. It is obvious that PCB would be left alone in the ACC board room if it were to withdraw, and other directors may protest that it was receiving a 15% yearly share without participating in the matches of a major tournament. The official broadcaster may refuse to pay the agreed upon amount, thus Naqvi, as the head of ACC, will also have to take the brunt of the criticism. Since the broadcaster always sells ad spaces for the main event at a premium, a pull-out might result in a significant loss for the India-Pakistan match, which is the major source of revenue. Overall, Pakistan and Naqvi stand to lose greatly and gain very little. Pycroft will therefore probably continue to officiate their match against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. Unless other ACC countries want to give them a break by switching the matches between Pycroft and Richie Richardson.