Pakistan claims financial benefits from hosting ICC Champions Trophy

Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, there is confusion about where the matches will be held. India has refused to send its team to Pakistan, causing concerns over the venue. Despite this, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claims it expects to make about USD 10 million from hosting the tournament, which India won. PCB officials criticized the Indian media for spreading negative news about financial losses. They warned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that India could face greater financial losses in the future. PCB spokesperson Aamir Mir emphasized that the International Cricket Council (ICC) makes all the decisions. He stated that if India seeks to harm Pakistan's interests, it may end up paying for it. He also mentioned that Pakistan will not travel to India for the next three years. Just before the tournament, the ICC confirmed that matches would be played in Pakistan and a neutral location, meaning India would compete in Dubai. Additionally, the ICC decided that all cricket matches between India and Pakistan in ICC events hosted by both countries will occur at neutral venues until 2027. This decision is significant. For the first time, India must leave its own country to play against Pakistan in an ICC event. Historically, India and Pakistan have only faced each other in ICC or Asian Cricket Council events over the past decade. The last bilateral series for India in Pakistan occurred in 2005-06, while the last series for Pakistan in India was in 2012-13.