A deadlock exists between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over demands for further compensation for chartered planes during the Asia Cup. PCB is seeking additional remuneration for managing chartered flights between Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup in August-September.
Asia Cup 2023 adopted a hybrid model after the ACC approved the PCB’s proposal, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosting.
Despite the fact that the majority of the matches will be played in Sri Lanka, the PCB has asked not only tournament hosting fees of roughly $250,000, but also a share of ticketing and sponsorship revenue, as well as additional pay.
The extra money will cover charges for chartered flights, increased accommodation costs, and transportation fees between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
These expenses appear to have not incorporated into the Asia Cup’s initial budget.
For hosting four Asia Cup matches domestically, Pakistan committed to the hybrid format, which included matches in Sri Lanka.
Classic Travel, based in Sri Lanka, got $281,000 for organizing four chartered flights between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The PCB’s Cricket Management Committee (CMC) felt reluctant to pay this money in advance.
The tournament switched to a hybrid format after India declined to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
Despite initially hosting only four matches, expenses increased after one of these games relocated from Lahore to Multan. Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of PCB management committee take this decision to relocate one match near his hometown.
Charter flights and other expenses are the ACC’s responsibility since they chose Sri Lanka to host the matches.
PCB, which organizes flights between Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, asked for $281,700 for four chartered flights.
In the midst of the controversy, allegations have surfaced that a top PCB official used one of the chartered flights to take his family to Colombo, adding a layer of complication to the ongoing talks between the cricketing authorities.
