(Web Desk) – By deciding to play against India, Pakistan quietly redrew the balance of power within the International Cricket Council, regardless of the noise across the border.
Expressing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), renowned sports journalist Dr Nauman Niaz said that in the end, the outcome proved wiser than expected. Irrespective of rankings, Pakistan remains a central cog in the global cricket economy. Matches between Pakistan and India account for between 45 and 62 per cent of total ICC tournament revenue, a figure that rises to nearly 80 per cent in the Asia Cup.
In India, even a 10-second cut to advertisements has been shown to increase viewership, while audience numbers have continued to rise steadily since the 2015 ICC World Cup. It is no secret that the ICC has long leaned towards the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), largely due to its financial clout. India is the largest commercial market in cricket, contributing roughly 70 per cent of broadcast revenue and 78 per cent of overall tournament income, with individual player brand value adding further weight.
