When India Says No - Cricket Boycott Could Cost Pakistan and Bangladesh Over ₹350 Crore
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the global financial superpower of cricket, driving almost 80 percent of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) revenue. Jay Shah, who is currently the ICC Chairman, served as the secretary of the BCCI from 2019 to 2024, and was instrumental in consolidating the BCCI's financial position, propelling it to unprecedented heights.
The matches that involve India generate the highest broadcast revenue, ticket sales, and sponsorship deals that go into millions. India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket in more than a decade, and while India and Bangladesh continue to honour their commitments for bilateral cricket as per the ICC's Future Tours and Programs (FTP), that relationship hangs by a thread after the dastardly attack in the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed by a group of terrorists in a popular tourist spot in India's Jammu & Kashmir region on April 22.
This comes after a retired Bangladesh army officer who is close to the current interim government stirred a controversy when he said that the northeastern states should be occupied by them if India attacks Pakistan.
"If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven States of Northeastern India. I think it is necessary to start discussions with China on a joint military arrangement in this regard," Major General (Retd.) ALM Fazlur Rahman wrote in Bengali in a Facebook post on Tuesday (April 29, 2025). The Asia Cup, involving India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh among other teams, scheduled to take place in India later in the year, is likely to be postponed. India were also scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for a white-ball series that included three ODIs and three T20Is.
Given the current situation, that tour is unlikely to happen, according to sources close to development. The BCCI maintains that they will cross the bridge when it comes. Other than the diplomatic situation, the other point of contention for the BCCI will be the safety and security of the Indian cricket team in Bangladesh, media reports confirm. There is a possibility of India not playing against Pakistan in any tournament, including the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Cricket World Cup (T20Is and ODIs).
India’s Boycott: What Pakistan and Bangladesh Stand to Lose
If India refuses to play against Pakistan and Bangladesh, it will dent both boards’ financial health.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): Huge Dependence on India
The matches involving India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup or ICC tournaments are among the most-watched sporting events globally. The 2023 ODI World Cup match between India and Pakistan saw over 35 crore views, and the ICC earned close to $3-4 million per match in broadcast rights, of which the member boards, like the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) received a share. With India's no-play policy in the Asia Cup or ICC tournaments, Pakistan is set to lose close to $12–15 million per tournament cycle, which can jump to approximately $20 million per 4-year cycle.
Total Estimated Loss (per ICC cycle):
INR 165–220 crore ($20–26 million) approximately
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): How much will they lose?
The last time India toured Bangladesh was in 2022, and it helped the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) earn close to INR 70-80 crore ($9-10 million) approximately. The Indian cricket team travelling to any other part in the world results in sell-out stadiums, Indian sponsors playing their part, and boosting TV viewership in both countries.
Revenue Loss Estimate (if India refuses future tours):
Bilateral series every 3–4 years: Each missed tour = Rs 70–100 crore loss
Going forward, India might demand to play in a different group in ICC tournaments, and that would mean they might not play either of the two teams, Pakistan or Bangladesh, in the tournament. This will result in a shared broadcast pool loss of approximately Rs 20–30 crore per cycle.
Total Estimated Loss (per ICC cycle):
INR 100–130 crore ($ 12–15 million)
The Indian market is linked to 80 percent of ICC's global revenue, with India set to receive $230 million per year in ICC’s new revenue cycle (2024–27). India can influence broadcast deals — if matches with Pakistan/Bangladesh are avoided, networks might pay less overall.
Conclusion:
PCB could lose close to INR 220 crore, and BCB approximately INR 130 crore per ICC cycle. Beyond money, it would also affect player development, global exposure, and could drive them to bankruptcy.
All data cited in this report has been sourced from publicly available media reports referencing ICC, ESPNcricinfo, BARC India, The Guardian
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