2008 was a distressing time for Pakistani cricket as the national team did not get a single chance to play a five-day Test Match at home or abroad. This was the first time in 40 years that the cricket team faced such an attitude on the international front. It was expected that Pakistan's test drought will extend into the first month of 2009 following India's cold response regarding their tour to Pakistan but fortunately an offer from Sri Lanka changed the entire scenario. This hope was short lived and the fate of Pakistani cricket was questioned once again when in March an attack on the Sri Lankan team by unidentified gunmen in Lahore raised fears amongst international cricketers. Commentators mourned what some saw as the death of Pakistani cricket.
Consequently Pakistan was dropped as co-hosts of the 2011 Cricket World Cup due to the “uncertain security” situation here. The harmful news was followed by Australia refusing to come to Pakistan and India pulling out of a tour in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist strikes. Pakistan Cricket Board was left with no option but to challenge ICC's decision in court.
If that wasn't enough, PCB got another blow when ICC stripped Pakistan off from hosting The Champions Trophy. This was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September 2008, but was taken away due to security concerns. The decision caused major financial woes because by losing visitors, PCB had to face losing fees that the foreign teams would have paid when they toured Pakistan. The total amount was as much as $300,000 for each tour. In addition, PCB lost the chance to earn millions of dollars from selling marketing rights to sponsors as well as exclusive broadcast rights.
Pakistan took the matter to the court and was relying heavily on the support of fellow Asia Test-playing nations to bail them out of a tough situation involving the ICC Champions Trophy. Under pressure from competing nations like Australia, England and New Zealand whose players were threatening to boycott the September event, Pakistani cricket officials were looking towards the powerful Indian cricket board as well as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to help them retain the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy.
Even though the postponed ICC Champions Trohpy 2009 is scheduled to take place in South Africa the PCB has succeeded in cutting a deal with ICC. PCB will receive $2.75 million from the ICC as an additional share from the incomes generated by the Champions Trophy. As original host, Pakistan will receive $2 million as its share from the gate money and another $750,000 as hosting fees. Also the governing board of the Pakistan Cricket Board has officially approved an out-of-court settlement with the ICC on 2011 World Cup hosting rights and decided to drop all legal measures taken against the world cricket body. Pakistan benefited after reaching the agreement which came as a result of a number of meetings PCB held with the ICC hierarchy in London and elsewhere.
The issue of the lost earnings may have been resolved but what is of concern is when the cricket fans are able to quench their thirst and become part of exciting international matches in their hometown.
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