The Champions Trophy 2025 was meant to be a grand cricketing spectacle for Pakistan, marking a significant moment as the country hosted an ICC event after years of international isolation. However, instead of being a financial and sporting triumph, the tournament ended in a massive financial disaster for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Adding to the woes, India—one of the biggest draws in world cricket—did not play a single match in Pakistan, despite the country being the official host.
India’s Reluctance and the Shift to Dubai While Pakistan had hoped to showcase its stadiums and cricketing infrastructure to the world, India’s refusal to play on Pakistani soil dealt a significant blow. Despite being the host nation, Pakistan was forced to accommodate India’s demand to play their matches in Dubai due to ongoing political tensions. As a result, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, which could have been a financial jackpot for PCB in terms of ticket sales and sponsorships, was held outside Pakistan, significantly reducing revenue opportunities.
Pakistan’s performance in the tournament only compounded their troubles. After a dismal start with a defeat to New Zealand in Lahore, Pakistan travelled to Dubai for the much-awaited showdown against India, where they suffered another setback. Their final group match against Bangladesh was abandoned without a ball being bowled, leading to an early exit from the tournament.
Ironically, despite being the host, Pakista.
