Audit exposes financial irregularities worth crores in PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been stunned by a conclusive audit report that reveals massive financial irregularities worth millions. The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has identified a series of unauthorized payments, misappropriations, and irregular appointments during the 2023–2024 fiscal year. This revelation comes when the PCB is already under pressure following Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy hosted on home soil.

According to the report, over 63.39 million (Pakistani) rupees were paid to the police for meals during international match security duties, an expense considered unnecessary and misused. Additionally, the unauthorized hiring of three Under-16 coaches at the Karachi High-Performance Centre led to unjustified salary payments of PKR 5.4 million.

Match officials were also overpaid by PKR 3.8 million, raising concerns of possible match-fixing. Notably, another finding was the appointment of a Media Director in October 2023 without following any due process. The job posting, application, approval, and appointment were all completed in a single day, with the individual drawing a monthly salary of PKR 900,000.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi under criticism

The audit also revealed that several contracts were awarded without any bidding. These include ticketing contracts, international broadcasting rights, and media rights, with the latter causing a direct financial loss of PKR 198 million after being sold below the reserve price. Furthermore, international broadcasting rights were reportedly handed out in a non-transparent manner, causing a potential loss of USD 99 million. In another instance, the PCB failed to recover outstanding sponsorship dues amounting to PKR 5.3 billion.

The report has also put immense pressure on current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Between February and June 2024, Naqvi allegedly received unauthorized payments worth PKR 4.17 million for utilities, fuel (POL), and accommodation, despite his government position already entitling him to these benefits. Other questionable expenses included PKR 19.8 million on diesel for bulletproof vehicles provided by the Punjab government and PKR 22.5 million on hiring coasters.

The PCB has been affected by instability, having had three different chairmen since December 2022, including Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and now Mohsin Naqvi. Meanwhile, the national team is currently preparing for a tour of Bangladesh.