Scoop: Audit Uncovers Financial Irregularities Worth Crores in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

The final audit report, which uncovered significant financial violations totalling millions, shocked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). During the fiscal year 2023–2024, the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) discovered several irregular appointments, misappropriations, and improper payments. This disclosure comes as the PCB is already facing heat after Pakistan's elimination in the group stage of the domestically held 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Unauthorised hiring of three coaches for the under-16 age group at the High Performance Centre in Karachi for a total salary of 5.4 million rupees and the payment of 63.39 million (Pakistani) rupees to the police for meals to provide security during international matches are among the irregularities noted in the report. Additionally, it highlights ticketing contract allocations that lack appropriate competition.

Concerns about potential match-fixing were raised by the PKR 3.8 million overpayment of match officials. Another noteworthy discovery was that a Media Director was appointed in October 2023 without completing the proper procedures. The person received a monthly salary of PKR 900,000 after completing the job posting, application, approval, and appointment in a single day. During the 2023–24 season, the PCB had two separate chairmen: Mohsin Naqvi from February 2024 to the present, and Zaka Ashraf from June 2023 to January 2024.

Pakistan Cricket Board in Trouble?

🚨 PAKISTAN CRICKET IN TURMOIL 🚨

- Audit Exposes millions in Corruption and overpayments in Pakistan Cricket Board. (TOI). pic.twitter.com/6Gl4n4xVMx

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 14, 2025

The report directly targets Naqvi, pointing said that between February and June 2024, he received 4.17 million rupees in illicit payments for lodging, POL, and utility bills. At the same time, Naqvi served as Pakistan's interior minister, and the law provided for all of his privileges.

Additionally, the audit found that several contracts were given out without a bidding process. These include international broadcasting rights, ticket contracts, and media rights, the latter of which resulted in a direct loss of PKR 198 million due to its sale below the reserve price. Additionally, it has been revealed that the distribution of overseas television rights was opaque, potentially costing USD 99 million. In another case, the PCB was unable to collect PKR 5.3 billion in unpaid sponsorship fees.

The AG also listed numerous instances of money being spent without permission, including 19.8 million rupees for diesel for bulletproof cars, 22.5 million rupees for hiring coasters, a loss of 198 million rupees because media rights were awarded below the reserved price, and irregular international broadcasting rights awards without open competition.

Since December 2022, the PCB has experienced instability, having had three different chairmen: Mohsin Naqvi, Zaka Ashraf, and Najam Sethi. The national squad is now getting ready for a tour of Bangladesh in the meantime.

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