ISLAMABAD: Indian broadcasters and cricket authorities are expected to suffer major financial losses after Pakistan confirmed it will boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup 2026 match against arch-rival India, following approval from the federal government.
Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States, with all of its matches scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, one of the tournament’s co-hosts with India.
The Green Shirts will open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by fixtures against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18. The Pakistan-India clash, set for February 15 in Colombo, has long been considered the most commercially valuable contest of any ICC tournament.
Industry estimates cited by Indian media suggest a single India-Pakistan T20 match generates nearly $500 million in combined value through broadcast rights, sponsorships, advertising, ticket sales and related commercial activity.
Advertising slots during the fixture reportedly sell for between INR2.5 million and INR4 million for a 10-second commercial — significantly higher than rates for other high-profile matches.
The biggest immediate impact is expected to hit the official broadcast rights holder, with advertising revenue from the match alone estimated at around INR300 crore. Reports also indicate the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could face losses of roughly INR200 crore.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said major corporate investments had already been committed to the tournament, noting that an Indian media conglomerate led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani had invested about $900 million, while the rest of the world combined contributed around $600 million.
“When such a massive market is disrupted, the effects go beyond one broadcaster,” Latif said. “India is impacted, the BCCI is impacted, and ultimately the ICC also feels the blow.”