The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing a major challenge. Pakistan’s government is pushing for a boycott of India during the T20 World Cup 2026, which could lead to significant financial losses for the ICC.
India and Pakistan only play against each other in major international tournaments, including ICC events, the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup competitions. This limited matchup creates strong demand for their games.
According to reports, the broadcast rights for men’s ICC events from 2023 to 2027 are valued at around $3 billion (approximately INR 27,465 crore). Matches between India and Pakistan account for over 40% of the total broadcast revenue.
Over the past three years, the two teams have faced each other in every ICC event, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, and 2025 Champions Trophy. Each game is valued at $250 million, which is around INR 2,289 crore.
If the India-Pakistan match scheduled during the T20 World Cup 2026 doesn’t happen, the ICC could lose about $247 million. JioStar, the rights holder, will face financial losses and may seek either full compensation or a reduced value for the broadcast rights from the ICC.
Additionally, the ICC plans to suspend the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from receiving earnings for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to the overall drop in revenue across cricketing nations.
