Is PCB a burden on national exchequer? experts weigh in

ISLAMABAD: Following the Pakistan cricket team’s elimination from the first stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, a new discussion has emerged on social media demanding that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should be dissolved to save billions of rupees annually from the national exchequer.

Is the PCB really a burden on the national treasury?

In this regard, ex-PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and cricket experts clarified that the board does not receive any financial support from the federal or provincial governments and covers all its expenses independently.

They said that the PCB finances its operations through the International Cricket Council (ICC), sponsors, and other marketing channels.

Ehsan Mani, former head of the PCB and the ICC, told Urdu News that the cricket board is completely financially independent and does not receive funds from or give money to the government. However, he noted that some ‘political’ chairmen compromise on the board’s independence.

Mani mentioned that the PCB’s annual budget exceeds its expenses, eliminating the need for government support.

He also highlighted that the ICC allocates funds annually to its full members, a practice he implemented during his tenure as ICC president from 2000 to 2006, when the ICC provided $2.5 billion to the PCB.

He said that the ICC’s financial sharing model changed a few years ago, resulting in more funds for major cricket boards like India, while others receive less. Despite this, the current financial model still provides the PCB with $20 million annually, which is less than what the top three cricket boards receive.

Apart from the ICC, the PCB generates substantial revenue from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), regular sponsors, and media rights for the PSL and international home series, according to experts.

Senior sports journalist Mirza Iqbal Baig said that the PCB does not take any money from federal or provincial governments and operates with an annual budget worth billions of rupees. He explained that the PCB finances its expenses through funds received as a full member of the ICC and sponsorship money.

Baig added that while the PCB was previously under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, it has recently been brought under the Establishment Division.

The PCB’s board of governors approves the organisation’s annual expenditure and budget, independent of government approval, he said.