BCCI Warned Amidst T20 World Cup Boycott: 'If PCB Can Survive 20 Years Without Playing India...'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has indicated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could face financial penalties and loss of revenue amounting to millions of dollars due to its decision to forfeit the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup group stage game against India in Colombo on February 15.

However, former head of Communications of ICC and former Media Director of Pakistan Cricket Board, Sami Ul Hasan Burney, believes that Pakistan made this decision while considering the implications.

“As regards the sanctions or the losses you are talking about, that one match is costing USD 250 million (everything accounted for not just broadcaster’s loss),” Sami Ul Hasan Burney was quoted as saying to PTI.

“Pakistan’s annual revenue is USD 35.5 million, so

there is a big, big difference,” he added.

Can Pakistan Survive Without Matches Against India?

Burney also noted that Pakistan has managed to handle the financial loss from not playing India in bilateral series for two decades.

“…unlike other countries, Pakistan have not hosted India for 20 years in a bilateral series, even though they have toured India twice in 2007 and then 2012-13 for white-ball cricket.

“They have not played, I mean, they were playing off-shore for 10 years, 2009 to 2019 not at home, but in the Middle East, or in the UAE, and still managed to win two tournaments, the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2017 Champions Trophy,” he said.

“So, yes, there will be financial implications, but if Pakistan Cricket Board can survive that 20-year period without playing India, they can sustain.”

Burney was asked if Bangladesh’s conflict with India was Pakistan’s concern.

“We may agree with it, we may disagree with this decision, we may argue…but when the government makes a decision, they are looking at something bigger than what what you and I are seeing,” he replied.

“I mean, these decisions are not easy decisions to make. They must have spoken to a lot of people, sought the advice from the experts, looked at the legal side.

“I am sure an extensive exercise would have taken place before the government of Pakistan made that decision,” he said.

(With inputs from Agencies)