The 2025 Champions Trophy marked Pakistan’s first global cricket tournament in 29 years, a historic moment for the country. However, it turned into a financial and logistical disaster, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suffering an 85% loss despite spending a staggering INR 869 crore while hosting just one completed home game.
According to The Telegraph, PCB spent PKR 18 billion (around $58 million) upgrading the three venues—Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi—exceeding their budget by 50%. Additionally, they invested $40 million in event preparations. However, the revenue generated was only $6 million from hosting fees, ticket sales, and sponsorships, leading to an estimated loss of $85 million.
Adding to the frustration, Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, played only one match at home—a game against New Zealand in Lahore. Their fixture against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was washed out, and two other scheduled matches in Pakistan also suffered the same fate.
Players Face Harsh Consequences
The financial disaster has had a direct impact on Pakistan’s domestic players. Match fees in the National T20 Championship have been slashed by 90%, while payments for reserve players have been reduced by 87.5%. Cricketers who once stayed in five-star hotels now find themselves in budget accommodations, even as PCB officials continue to draw hefty salaries.
Pakistani daily Dawn reported: “The PCB recently reduced match fees from ₹40,000 to ₹10,000 without any official announcement. However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi intervened, rejecting the decision and instructing the domestic cricket department to reassess the matter. While the revised amount hasn’t been officially disclosed, sources indicate it has been set at ₹30,000 per match—₹10,000 less than last year.”
With severe financial setbacks and growing discontent among players, the PCB now faces an uphill task in restoring stability to Pakistan cricket.
