The ICC’s scheduling for the Champions Trophy has come under heavy criticism, with the Indian team playing all their matches in the UAE under the Hybrid Model, while the rest of the tournament unfolds in Pakistan. The arrangement has forced teams like Bangladesh, New Zealand, and host nation Pakistan to travel to Dubai for their matches against India, as the BCCI refused to send its team across the border due to the Indian government’s stance on bilateral cricketing ties.
South Africa, who topped Group B, and Australia found themselves caught in the logistical chaos. With the semifinal matchups undecided until the final Group A fixture between India and New Zealand, both teams had to fly to Dubai, uncertain of their venues for the knockout stage.
The tournament format dictated that the group topper from one pool would face the second-placed team from the other, but without clarity until the last group match, teams were left in limbo. When India defeated New Zealand to secure the top spot in Group A, South Africa, after an 18-hour stopover in Dubai, had to make another trip—this time back to Lahore—to face the Black Caps in the second semifinal.
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Such last-minute travel arrangements have led to growing frustration among players and experts, with former England cricketer and renowned commentator David Lloyd calling the scheduling “farcical.”
David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd regarding some teams having to travel from Pakistan to UAE and back to Pakistan while India play all their matches in Dubai “it’s farcical, it’s laughable, it’s nonsense” #CT25 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/tC5qunbWUx
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 5, 2025
“It really is embarrassing that this is one of the biggest tournaments in world cricket, and yet the playing arrangements are a joke,” David Lloyd remarked. “The way teams have to travel back and forth, sometimes without even knowing where their next match will be, is just ridiculous. It’s laughable, really—except if you’re a player dealing with it.”
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Lloyd wasn’t alone in his criticism. Many former and current cricketers have voiced concerns about India’s advantage in playing all their matches in Dubai. Unlike other teams that have had to adjust to different conditions and endure long travel schedules, Rohit Sharma and his men have remained in familiar surroundings, with no disruption to their rhythm. With the Champions Trophy final looming, the debate over the fairness of the tournament setup continues to intensify.
