PCB Hopes for Financial Boost

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping the proposed India series and the Twenty20 league it has planned will help it overcome a shortfall of $US 7.5 million in its budget for 2011-12.

The deficit was confirmed at the board’s governing council meet in Lahore on Wednesday.

The PCB financial problems are largely because of teams refusing to tour Pakistan security concerns following the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009. Pakistan has since had to host teams at neutral venues.

The 2010-2011 budget also showed a deficit before it was boosted by the hefty compensation that the ICC paid PCB after Pakistan was removed as co-host of the 2011 World Cup.

“We are forced to play away from home, this makes a difference,” a member of the PCB’s governing board said. “But we have plans and the board is optimistic that by the end of this fiscal year, [even if we do] not cover [the deficit], we will be able to reduce the gap.” {jcomments on}