India will take on Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday, following their commanding 44-run victory over New Zealand in the final group-stage match on Sunday. Meanwhile, New Zealand will travel to Lahore to face South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
Complex Scheduling Sees Teams Moving Between Pakistan and Dubai
Due to a convoluted scheduling arrangement, both Australia and South Africa had already flown to Dubai ahead of their semi-final matches. An ICC official confirmed that this decision was made to ensure the team playing in Dubai (Australia) on March 4 had maximum preparation time. However, this left South Africa in a disadvantageous position, requiring them to travel back to Pakistan after a short stay in Dubai.
The scheduling complexities stemmed from India’s decision not to play any matches in Pakistan. Despite Pakistan being the official host, India’s fixtures were relocated to Dubai. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially proposed hosting all of India’s games in Lahore, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the Indian government did not grant permission for the team to play in Pakistan.
New Zealand and South Africa Brace for Quick Travel Turnaround
New Zealand’s squad is set to take an early-morning flight to Lahore on Monday, while South Africa will return to Pakistan later the same day, following a brief 36-hour stay in Dubai.
“Yeah…we will leave [Dubai] at 12:30 or 1 o’clock,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said during the post-match presentation. “We get there and we can rest up, train, and be ready to go.”
India Eyes Momentum Ahead of Semi-Final Clash with Australia
India remains the only unbeaten team in the Champions Trophy, securing three wins in as many matches. Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of momentum going into the knockout stage.
“I think momentum is very, very critical in a short tournament like this,” Rohit said after India’s victory over New Zealand. “You want to win every game and do everything right. Mistakes happen, but what matters is how quickly you correct them. We’ve been addressing our mistakes from game one, and that has helped us progress.”
Looking ahead to the semi-final against Australia, Rohit acknowledged the challenge posed by the five-time World Cup winners.
“They have a strong history in ICC tournaments, and we respect that. But it’s about what we do on the field and executing our plans effectively. We’re all looking forward to the contest and hope to secure another win.”
Stay tuned for live updates and exclusive coverage as the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals unfold!
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