The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been facing heavy criticism over its scheduling and logistical challenges, particularly due to India playing all their matches in Dubai, UAE, while the rest of the tournament was hosted in Pakistan. This messy arrangement led to confusion and unnecessary travel for other teams, causing frustration among players and cricket experts.
The biggest issue came into the spotlight when South Africa were forced to travel to Dubai and back to Lahore within 24 hours, as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal venues and matchups were not decided until just two days before the first knockout clash on March 4.
Both South Africa and Australia were caught in this last-minute chaos, with their travel plans depending on the result of India's final group-stage match against New Zealand. As a result, both teams were sent to Dubai before knowing who would actually play there.
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Eventually, Australia ended up facing India in the first semifinal in Dubai after New Zealand lost the final group match, resulting in South Africa having to fly back to Lahore for the second semifinal clash against New Zealand on March 5.
The delayed scheduling and forced travel left players drained and sparked a massive uproar among the cricket fraternity over the ICC and PCB’s plans.
David Lloyd blasts ICC over ‘Farcical’ Champions Trophy 2025 planning
Reacting to the whole drama, former England player David Lloyd slammed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025’s chaotic scheduling, calling it an embarrassment. He called the management of the tournament farcical, where teams were shuffled between Pakistan and Dubai without clarity.
David Lloyd said on X after South Africa’s loss to New Zealand in the second semifinal: “It’s really embarrassing that this is one of the highest, most important events in world cricket, and the arrangements of playing are farcical. It’s laughable that you have to do that. I mean, words fail me. It is just nonsense. I really don’t know how else to describe it; this is a world event.”
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It is not funny, it is nonsense: David Lloyd
The iconic umpire and commentator said that the unnecessary travel exhausted players, turning a prestigious competition into a logistical mess. Lloyd, who is known for his humor, found the situation laughable but admitted it was no joke for the cricketers caught in the chaos.
The legendary cricketer signed off by saying, “You have teams who go from here to there; you might play here, you might not, you might have to go back. I’m quite a humorous guy, and I think that’s quite funny, actually, but it’s not so funny if I’m one of the players.”
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
Notably, ICC's decision to schedule two crucial matches within just three days in Dubai has sparked widespread criticism, with many believing it unfairly benefited India. The tight scheduling and unnecessary travel left players exhausted, raising questions about the tournament’s fairness.
Despite the controversy, India has once again proved its dominance, securing a spot in their third consecutive Champions Trophy final. They are now set to face New Zealand in the final in Dubai on March 9.
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