PCB Cornered as Broadcasters Put in Fresh Demand Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan will be one of the favourites to win the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament will be played across two venues in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in September. The event begins on September 9, with the final set to take place on September 28.

Pakistan, one of the best cricket teams in the world, are placed in Group A along with arch-rivals India, UAE and Oman. They will open their campaign against Oman on September 12. The high-octane India vs Pakistan clash will be played on September 14, while their last group stage game will be against the UAE on September 17.

Months before the tournament, however, Pakistan face broadcaster pressure. As per reports, it is learned that the official broadcasters of the tournament have increased the rates for telecast rights for the Pakistan-based channels.

Pakistan Face Broadcaster Pressure Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have come under massive pressure ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Sony Pictures Private Limited, which recently secured the Pan-Asia broadcast rights in a $170 million deal till 2031, have asked the PCB to pay 25% of the total broadcasting rights. This comes as a massive headache for the cricket body in Pakistan, as they were paying only up to 10% of the event’s regional broadcast.

An official close to the developments said that with official broadcasters increasing the prices, this may force Pakistan-based channels to make a joint consortium or quit.

Notably, Pakistan are supposed to pay only 10-12% as per the record in International cricket and (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The official broadcasters, however, have put PCB under the pump by increasing rates just ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.

Will the India vs Pakistan Clash Happen in the Asia Cup 2025?

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 will take place on 14th September. There are, however, very strong chances that the two rivals might play thrice in the tournament. This can happen if they both manage to reach the final. It may become a significant moment in the tournament as the India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the biggest rivalries in the sport.

If they manage to qualify for the Super Four stage, they will play three more games. The teams that will take the top two spots on the points table will move ahead to the final which will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Since the last few days, however, there have been a lot of clouds looming over the future of the India and Pakistan matches in the 2025 Asia Cup. The political tensions between the nations are worsening and it has also taken a toll on the sport as well.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, many fans and former cricketers urged India to cut all cricketing ties with Pakistan. Soon after the tournament schedule was announced, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced a lot of criticism for agreeing to play against Pakistan. There were reports which claimed that the clash might be postponed.

Recently, India Champions pulled out of their scheduled fixtures against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. These fixtures included a group stage match and a semi-final bout. It also made several fans protest against the BCCI to boycott Asia Cup matches against Pakistan. So far, no official decision has been made on the same, and it might days before the tournament commences.