Rs6 Billion Scandal Unearthed in PCB

Rs6 Billion Scandal Unearthed in PCB

An audit report has uncovered financial irregularities amounting to over PKR 6 billion (approximately $21 million) within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), along with serious governance issues dating back two years.

The findings, published in The News, come from the Auditor General of Pakistan’s 2023–24 financial year report. Among the most significant concerns was the PCB’s failure to recover outstanding sponsorship revenue totaling PKR 5.3 billion ($18.6 million).

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi—who also serves as a government minister—is the third person in four years to head the organization, following the tenures of Ramiz Raja and Zaka Ashraf.

The report also criticized the PCB’s expenditure of PKR 63.39 million ($220,000) on meals for police and law enforcement personnel tasked with securing foreign teams during international matches. Auditors stated that providing security is a governmental responsibility and dismissed the PCB’s justification that enhanced safety measures for visiting teams required increased police presence.

Further irregularities were noted, including the hiring of three junior regional coaches who failed to meet the required qualifications and the appointment of a media director through improper procedures.

The report also flagged unauthorized payments made to cover utility bills, fuel, and accommodation for the PCB chairman between February and June of last year—benefits already covered under his government role. The auditors rejected the PCB’s claim that the chairman was entitled to such expenses under internal bylaws.

As of now, the PCB has not issued an official response to the audit findings.