The fixtures for the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinals are finally set in stone after India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday to clinch the top spot in Group A. This means that India will now face Australia in Dubai. Meanwhile, New Zealand travel to Lahore in order to face South Africa, who finished are group leaders of Group B.
However, a scheduling tangle has led to an unusual travel situation for both Australia and South Africa, with both teams already making their way to Dubai before their semi-final fixtures. According to an ICC official, the decision was made to give Australia – who will play their semi-final in Dubai on 4th March maximum preparation time. However, this has left South Africa in an awkward spot, as they’ve now had to fly from Pakistan to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan shortly after for their own knockout match.
— ScoreWaves (@ScoreWaves) March 2, 2025
It’s time for redemption!
India will look to erase the memories of November 19, 2023, as they take on Australia in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
Who’s winning this epic clash? #INDvsAUS #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/M9ZlAiFys0
The scheduling headache stems from India’s decision not to play any of their Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, despite the country being the official host of the tournament. From the start, it was clear that India would play all their games in Dubai, including their semi-final, regardless of their Group A standings. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spent months negotiating to have India play at least some matches in Lahore, even suggesting that all of India’s group games be held there. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) maintained that their government had not granted permission for the team to travel to Pakistan, making the hybrid scheduling approach inevitable.
New Zealand will be on an early-morning flight from Dubai to Lahore on Monday, while South Africa will head back to Pakistan later in the day after spending roughly 36 hours in Dubai. Speaking about the team’s travel plans, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner shared, “Yeah...we will leave (Dubai) at 12.30 or 1 o'clock. We get there and we can rest up and train and be ready to go.”
Following India’s exceptional performance in the group stages of the Champions Trophy – India is the only team to win all three group stage matches – captain Rohit Sharma stated that the players have turned their focus onto their semifinal clash against Australia. The players will be raring to avenge their 2023 World Cup Final defeat. In a press conference, Rohit Sharma said, “It (semi-final) is going to be a good game and obviously we know Australia has a rich history of playing ICC tournaments well. We do understand that; it's about what we want to do against the opposition and try and do that right. We're all looking forward to that contest and hopefully we can stitch one (more win) towards us."
Also Read: Virat Kohli Completes 300 ODIs for Team India – Joins Elite List of Indian Cricketers
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