In an exception to what is becoming a worldwide norm, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has managed to avoid massive financial losses in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organisations across the world have borne the brunt of the pandemic, which has cut off significant revenue streams by forcing the world into a state of shutdown. The cricket world hasn’t been immune to it, with national boards worldwide announcing pay cuts and moves to lay off staff.
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Ismail Haider Mallick, the board’s financial committee chairman, said that the postponed tours of Ireland and Pakistan haven’t hit the BCB, as they were to be paid by the hosting association. Altogether, Mallick forecast losses to the tune of 25-30%, but said they could be mitigated if the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup go ahead as planned, along with next season’s Bangladesh Premier League.
“Coronavirus didn’t affect any of our revenue-earning tournaments,” Mallick told Prothom Alo, a Dhaka-based newspaper. “The tours to Pakistan and Ireland were postponed, but those were to be paid by their boards. We will be okay if the ICC tournament and the Asia Cup go ahead.
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“Altogether, the BCB may incur a loss of 20 to 25 per cent in this fiscal year. It will get bigger only if the situation worsens. We would have earned a little from the Australia series. But if the World T20 and Asia Cup goes ahead and we can hold the BPL next season, we can take care of all our losses. BCB is in sound financial health, among the top five in the world after India, Australia, England and New Zealand. We also have certain reserved funds.”
