The prospect of Pakistan boycotting its T20 World Cup match against India has caused concern within the Indian cricket board and the International Cricket Council.
The financial stakes rise further during elite tournaments such as the T20 World Cup, which begins next week. With Pakistan set to boycott the much-anticipated clash against India following government approval, Indian broadcasters are expected to suffer substantial financial losses.
According to a report by NDTV, the total commercial value of a single India-Pakistan T20 match is estimated at around $500 million (approximately Rs450 billion). This figure includes broadcast rights, advertising premiums, sponsorship activations, ticket sales and related commercial activity, the report added.
The report said that advertising slots during an India-Pakistan T20 match usually command between Rs2.5 million and Rs4 million for a 10-second spot, a figure well above that of even knockout matches involving India against other leading teams.
The most immediate financial impact is expected to fall on the official broadcast rights holder, with advertising revenue from the match alone estimated at around Rs3 billion, based on industry projections cited in the report. In addition, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly facing an immediate loss of approximately Rs2 billion.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States. While India will host part of the tournament, Pakistan will play all their group matches in Sri Lanka, the event’s co-host. Pakistan open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by fixtures against the United States on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
