India’s insistence on playing all ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches at neutral venues has forced Group B semi-finalists Australia and South Africa to fly to Dubai on Saturday.
An ICC official said the two group B semi-finalists were given plenty of time to adjust before their prospective quarterfinal encounter against the 2013 champions on March 4. Since India’s semi-final opponent is unknown, one of the two group B semi-finalists will have to return to Lahore to face New Zealand on March 5. This means one team will have to travel and train at a venue where they won’t play unless they qualify with India.
Australia, who qualified for the Final Four after their last group-stage match against Afghanistan washed out, are already on their way to Dubai, while South Africa, who finished their group-stage match earlier today, will leave shortly after.
The Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals will be decided following Sunday’s last group-stage encounter between India and New Zealand.
The top team from Group A will play the second-placed Group B team, while the Group B toppers will play the second-placed Group A squad.
Due to Indian government directions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send their national men’s squad to Pakistan just months before the eight-team competition, creating complexity. After the BCCI refused, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retaliated, starting a long standoff.
PCB proposed a ‘Fusion Formula’ to resolve the conflict, which requires both teams to play at a neutral venue anytime India or Pakistan hosts an event for three years.
