The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam has dealt a significant blow to Pakistan, as India has decided to boycott several major connections between the neighboring countries. On the cricket front, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has pledged its support to the government, stating that it will not participate in any bilateral series with Pakistan.
Additionally, the BCCI has suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) refrain from placing India and Pakistan in the same group in future tournaments.
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Economically, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) typically earns about 5.75 percent of its revenue from the ICC each year. However, following this incident, it is likely that this revenue may decline. Pakistan previously hosted the Champions Trophy in 2025 but was eliminated in the group stage, and due to the ongoing boycott from India, the tournament was relocated to Dubai.
Consequently, India won the tournament comfortably, and the absence of Indian audiences has negatively impacted Pakistan's projected revenue from hosting such marquee events.
Boycotting PSL 2025
Regarding the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the tournament is currently being held during an unusual window due to the Champions Trophy. Streaming of this event has been halted in India, with Fancode, the official streaming partner of the PSL, and Sony Sports, the broadcasting partner, suspending the streaming of PSL matches.
Additionally, fantasy sports platforms like Dream11 and Mycircle11 have also stopped updates and games related to the PSL. This situation could considerably affect revenues, given India's significant interest in cricket and fantasy sports.
Furthermore, India has requested the BCCI to avoid scheduling matches against Pakistan in future ICC World Cups, as these matches traditionally generate substantial revenue. If this situation continues, the PCB could face significant financial challenges, as Pakistan often relies on these matches to meet its revenue targets.
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Suspension of Social Media Handles
In a related issue, the social media presence of Pakistani figures has also been affected. Sixteen Pakistani YouTubers, including former pacer Shoaib Akhtar and notable cricketers like Basit Ali and Rashid Latif, have had their channels removed, which will greatly impact their income, given the large Indian audience they cater to.
Former captain Ramiz Raja has highlighted the PCB's dependence on Indian revenue streams, stating,
"In a way, India's business houses are running Pakistan cricket. If tomorrow the Indian Prime Minister decides to cut off funding to Pakistan, this cricket board could collapse."
