Asia Cup Venue Shift Sparks Financial Feud Between Pakistan and Sri Lanka Cricket Boards

In a developing story, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are embroiled in a financial controversy, disputing over who should bear the additional costs estimated between $3-4 million, following the relocation of the Asia Cup’s venue to Sri Lanka last year. This financial conflict arises amid the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to abstain from participating in the tournament had it been hosted in Pakistan, prompting a venue change due to geopolitical concerns.

This decision was influenced by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and PCB, who proposed a hybrid model for hosting, leading to Sri Lanka taking over the majority of the match hosting duties.

However, at a recent ACC council meeting in Bali, Sri Lanka Cricket expressed its reluctance to shoulder the unexpected financial burden, arguing that it didn’t gain additional revenue from the event nor was it the designated official host. The situation was further complicated by a decision made by Zaka Ashraf, the then PCB chairman, to move the opening match from Lahore to Multan, which significantly increased the costs.

In light of these developments, PCB is advocating for the ACC to cover the extra expenses, pointing out that the shift in hosting rights and the decision to distribute the event across multiple locations were made by the continental cricket governing authority. This ongoing dispute underscores the challenges of organizing international cricket events amidst geopolitical issues and the complexities of financial arrangements between cricket boards.