The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced a huge financial loss after spending PKR 23 billion ($58 million) to host a single home game during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The board had high hopes for the tournament, but unexpected challenges resulted in an 85% loss, making it one of the most costly events in PCB’s history.
To prepare for the tournament, PCB invested heavily in upgrading major cricket stadiums in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. In addition to these improvements, the board also spent another $40 million on event preparations, including logistics, facilities, and operational costs. However, despite these efforts, the financial return was extremely low, with only $6 million generated from the event.
One of the biggest setbacks came from multiple matches being washed out due to bad weather. This meant that Pakistan was left with just one completed home game, making the massive investment even harder to recover.
The financial strain not only affected the board but also had a significant impact on the players. Their match fees were cut by 90%, and their accommodations were downgraded. Meanwhile, PCB administrators continued to receive high salaries, which led to further criticism of the board’s financial management.
This loss has raised serious concerns about PCB’s ability to manage future international tournaments and the overall financial health of cricket in Pakistan.
