PCB eyeing revenue around $650 million from proposed 4-nation tourney involving India, Pakistan

In Januray 2022, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja had planned to propose the idea of an annual quadrangular T20I series involving arch-rivals India and Pakistan beside Australia and England.

Notably, arch-rivals India and Pakistan only face each other in ICC events as bilateral cricket has been suspended between the two nations due to political tensions and the idea behid the annual quadrangular T20I is to see them facing-off each other regular in international cricket.

Now in April, a report in ESPNcricinfo has estimated that the four-nation Super Series involving Pakistan, India, Australia and England could generate $650 million in profit.

Notably, the proposal will be presented formally at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting on April 10 in Dubai which will be attended by Raja and PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain.

Notably, the PCB chairman has shown a keen interest in the series, which has been proposed to be played from September-October every year at one venue as it is an ideal period considering the start of the season in Australia, Pakistan and India, and the near end of the English season,

As per the report, the hosting rights for the four-nation tourney would be decided on a rotation policy and the global body will look into the matters of the series and the revenue generated by it will be dispersed among the four sides and the ICC members.

“The paper projects that such a tournament could bring in USD 650 million in media and commercial rights, and plans for that the money to be distributed between the four sides as well as other ICC members.It is not clear what the breakdown will be of the revenue, but it is thought that a significant portion could go towards the non-participating Full Members and Associate members,” said the ESPNcricinfo report.

Meanwhile, a PCB official familiar with the proposal said: “This is a strategic paper in which the ICC and its members have been encouraged and invited to explore an untapped event opportunity around traditional rivalries in cricket, turn them into a cricket extravaganza, attract a new generation of cricketers, speed up cricket development and maximise revenues for the members.”

“This event will also bring a further nation vs nation event, in a cricket calendar that is being increasingly influenced by mushrooming of various T20 leagues around the world. Because of that, bilateral T20Is have become meaningless. The four-nation Super Series can fill the vacuum,” he added.

Earlier in Januray, the PCB Chairman had said: “It’s not going to happen right now, but who knows. I have a good mind of proposing a rugby Six Nations-style series that they have a cricket series, a T20 international series outside the FTP [Future Tours Programme] where Australia, England, India, and Pakistan can play four sides.”

“I was thinking of maybe introducing this concept at the ICC meeting. If India and Pakistan are not willing to play bilaterally, involve them in a four-nation [event], and so every year this tournament could go to England, Australia, Pakistan and India and take it from there. I will (propose it), definitely I will. So this is breaking news,” Raja told Code Sports.

News Desk

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