Table of Contents
- Pakistan Cricket Board expresses dissatisfaction with the International Cricket Council’s new revenue distribution plan.
- India set to receive the largest share at 38.5%, while Pakistan is allocated only 5.75%.
- PCB demands transparency in the methodology behind the figures and threatens to withhold approval.
The proposed revenue model put forth by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has drawn dissatisfaction from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
ESPNcricinfo reports that India’s share of the revenue would amount to 38.5 percent, while England and Australia would receive 6.89 and 6.25 percent, respectively. In contrast, Pakistan is slated to earn only 5.75 percent of the ICC’s projected earnings, primarily derived from the ICC’s media rights deal worth $3 billion for the period of 2024-2027. The final decision on this model will be made at the ICC’s upcoming board meeting in June.
PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi voiced the board’s concerns, emphasizing the need for transparency in determining these figures. Speaking from London, he stated, “We are insisting that the ICC should provide us with the methodology behind these figures. As it stands, we are not satisfied with the current situation. Unless these details are shared with us, we will not grant our approval when the financial model is presented for board approval in June.”
Sethi acknowledged that India, being the major revenue generator accounting for approximately 80 percent of ICC revenue, deserves a significant portion. However, he questioned the process by which the allocation table was developed, stating, “In principle, India should receive more, there is no doubt about that, but we need to understand how this table was formulated.”
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PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, echoing similar concerns, expressed worries about the future of international cricket, particularly in light of the substantial share allocated to India. In an exclusive interview with Forbes, Mani, who served as ICC president from 2003 to 2006 and stepped down from the PCB in 2021, criticized the proposed revenue distribution model, stating, “It is disconcerting to allocate the most significant share to the country that requires it the least; it defies logic.” He further added, “There seems to be a lack of strategic vision regarding the global growth of the sport.”
Mani emphasized the importance of expanding cricket beyond its traditional base and reducing dependency on India. He expressed concern about the vulnerability of ICC members during economic downturns, stating, “Reliance on India alone can pose risks if there is an economic downturn. The ICC should focus on developing the game in the United States, injecting $20-30 million into its growth. Additionally, Africa holds great potential for cricket’s future expansion.”
Mani advocated for a higher allocation, suggesting that at least 30 percent of the revenue should be directed towards developing the global game, rather than the current 11 percent earmarked for Associates. He believes that this is the key to truly globalizing the sport.
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