PCB incurs 85% loss in Champions Trophy after spending INR 869 crore on one home game; players left reeling from harsh repercussions

The Champions Trophy 2025 made history as the first global cricket tournament to be held in Pakistan in nearly three decades, signaling a major milestone for the sport in the country. However, despite the significance of the event, it was marred by financial and logistical challenges. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) incurred a massive loss of 85 per cent, spending INR 869 crore for just one completed home game during the tournament.

According to a report in The Telegraph, PCB spent PKR 18 billion (about $58 million) upgrading each of the three venues—Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. This was 50 per cent more than their budget. In addition, they spent $40 million on event preparations. However, they only received $6 million in return as part of the hosting fee and change from ticket sales and sponsorships. This implies that PCB suffered a loss of about $85 million.

Not to forget, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side played only one game at home, against New Zealand at the Gadaffi stadium in Lahore. Their next match, against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, was washed out without even the toss. Two other matches of the remaining eight held in Pakistan also ended in the same way.

Players pay the price

The report further said that the players were made to face the brutal consequences of the 'financial misadventure' as match fees in the national T20 championship have been reduced by 90 per cent and those for reserve player payments by 87.5 per cent. These cricketers, who were once accommodated in five-star hotels, found themselves in budget accommodations while the administrators continued drawing millions of salaries.

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."

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