The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a budget of approximately $70 million to host the Champions Trophy in Pakistan early next year, according to the news agency PTI.
This decision follows a review by the ICC’s financial and commercial committee, chaired by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who examined the budget prepared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the ICC finance department.
PTI quoted a source close to ICC, saying, “The approximate budget is around USD 70 million and only USD 4.5 million has been allocated as additional expenses.”
Concerns have been raised that these backup funds may be needed if India opts not to send its team to Pakistan, potentially requiring match relocations. The source noted that $4.5 million may be insufficient for covering the costs of moving matches.
Jay Shah, also the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), oversaw the decision to award the 2025 T20 format Asia Cup to India and the 2027 50-over format Asia Cup to Bangladesh. Next year’s Asia Cup is expected to feature India and Pakistan in the same group, with potential additional matches if both teams advance.
Despite challenges and additional expenses during the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the ACC reported a profit, attributed primarily to the high-profile India-Pakistan games.
“The profits came because of the India and Pakistan games,” the source explained.
