The scheduling of the Champions Trophy semi-finals in two countries means Australia and likely South Africa will travel to the UAE on Saturday. This aims to give the team playing in Dubai on March 4 ample preparation time, but it results in travel inefficiencies. Australia is already headed to Dubai after their match against Afghanistan was abandoned, while South Africa will depart Karachi after facing England. The specific semi-final match-ups depend on the outcome of India’s game against New Zealand. India’s participation affects the venue of the final, complicating logistics further amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
The arrangement of the Champions Trophy semi-finals across two different countries means that both teams expected to emerge from Group B — likely Australia and South Africa — will head to the UAE on Saturday.
An official from the ICC mentioned that the choice was made to provide the team competing in the Dubai semi-final on March 4 ample time to prepare for the match. However, this also places one team in a less than ideal situation, as they will travel from Pakistan to Dubai only to return to Pakistan the next day. The Lahore semi-final is scheduled for March 5, but the tournament’s layout ensures that one team will need to practice at a venue where they won’t play for a full day.
If Afghanistan unexpectedly qualifies instead of South Africa, they, too, will head to Dubai as soon as arrangements permit.
The specific match-ups and venues for the semi-finals will only be finalized following the last group game of the tournament between India and New Zealand on Sunday. No matter their group standing, India will compete in Dubai, meaning the Group B teams will learn their semi-final locations only after India plays New Zealand.
This situation seemed almost unavoidable due to the requirement for India to play their matches outside Pakistan, despite the country being the official host for the tournament. The PCB invested months in attempting to persuade India to travel to Pakistan, at one point suggesting to host all their matches in Lahore. However, the BCCI indicated that the Indian government’s permission to hold matches in Lahore was not granted. The relationship between the two nations remains tense.
The ambiguity regarding venues will continue up to the final as well. If India wins their semi-final, the final will be held in Dubai. However, if they lose, the final will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.