The much-anticipated India-Pakistan encounter in the ongoing T20 World Cup will proceed as scheduled after Pakistan reversed its earlier position of boycotting the fixture. The decision has reportedly helped the International Cricket Council (ICC) avert a potential financial setback estimated at $180 million (approximately ₹1,600 crore). Industry reports suggest that the marquee clash contributes over 20 percent of the tournament’s total revenue through media rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
However, Harish Thawani, former owner of Neo Sports and a seasoned figure in multiple ICC media rights bids, has offered a contrasting perspective on the financial significance of the fixture. According to Thawani, while the India-Pakistan match undeniably draws exceptional viewership, broadcasters today are less dependent on a single high-profile game than they were in the past.
Thawani emphasized that the revenue model for broadcasters has evolved considerably. Subscription income now accounts for nearly half of total earnings, unlike earlier years when advertising contributed up to 90 percent. As a result, he argued that the absence of an India-Pakistan match would not necessarily lead to a mass exodus of subscribers from streaming platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar.
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He further noted that a broadcaster’s return on investment (ROI) depends more heavily on India’s overall progress in the tournament rather than one isolated fixture. Advertising deals are typically structured in phases, covering league matches, Super 8 stages, and knockout rounds. While certain brands may pay a premium exclusively for the India-Pakistan game, most sponsors commit to broader tournament packages.
On the field, India hold a commanding 17-4 record over Pakistan in ICC tournaments, including a dominant 14-1 record in World Cups. India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav recently remarked that the rivalry no longer feels evenly balanced given his team’s recent performances. Meanwhile, Pakistan currently lead Group A with consecutive wins over the Netherlands and the USA, highlighted by Farhan’s match-winning 73 off 41 balls against the Americans.
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