Jammu Tawi, Feb. 14 -- The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced a 53 per cent hike in its Champions Trophy prize money pool with a winners' share of USD 2.24 million for the upcoming edition in Pakistan and UAE.

The runners-up will receive half the amount, USD 1.12 million (INR 9.72 crore), while each losing semi-finalist will take home USD 560,000 (INR 4.86 crore). The total prize pool has increased to USD 6.9 million (Rs 60 crore approx).

"The substantial prize pot underscores the ICC's ongoing commitment to investing in the sport and maintaining the global prestige of our events," ICC chairman Jay Shah said in a statement ahead of the tournament starting February 19.

Each group stage win would worth over USD 34,0...