The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is under fire following serious accusations of corruption and mismanagement during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The controversy erupted after journalist Shahid Hashmi raised concerns on Samaa TV, claiming the board failed to provide essential funds for pitch maintenance.
According to Hashmi, a pitch curator in Rawalpindi had to sell his personal motorbike to buy fertilisers, as the budget allocated for this purpose was reportedly left untouched in PCB files. He described this act as a disturbing example of how unresponsive the PCB has become in managing basic cricketing infrastructure.
These revelations come amidst an already turbulent period for the PCB, following Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the tournament and disappointing results in recent bilateral series. The timing of these allegations has intensified scrutiny over the board’s operations and priorities.
More Cases of Financial Mismanagement Emerge
Hashmi didn’t stop at Rawalpindi. He also pointed to another instance in Karachi, where the ground staff needed a large cotton sheet to cover the pitch and aid watering. Instead of receiving timely support from PCB, the local workers had to pool their own money to acquire the necessary materials. The cotton was eventually sourced from behind the National Stadium.
Hashmi further criticized the board for failing to utilise the Champions Trophy budget effectively. He alleged that the staff kept passing responsibilities around rather than executing their duties. This inefficiency reportedly extended to domestic matches as well, where crucial preparations such as pitch management and weather reporting were allegedly neglected.
PCB Denies Allegations and Highlights Financial Success
In response, the PCB maintained that there had been no financial irregularities during the Champions Trophy. According to the board, they surpassed expectations by earning three billion rupees in revenue, well above their original target of two billion. The PCB also insisted that no budget overruns had occurred and clarified that the entire tournament was managed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), not the PCB alone.
Furthermore, the board highlighted that it undergoes two audits annually, with the next scheduled after the current fiscal year ends on June 30, 2025. These audits, the PCB claims, will validate the board’s financial integrity. Despite the defense, the allegations have sparked public and media debate over the transparency and accountability within Pakistan cricket’s governing body.
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