After defeating New Zealand by 44 runs in the final group-stage match at the Dubai Stadium, on Sunday, India will play Australia in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday. In the meantime, New Zealand will go to Lahore on Wednesday to play South Africa in the second semi-final.
Due to a complicated schedule, both Australia and South Africa had already flown to Dubai, with an ICC official noting that the decision was taken to provide the side that plays the semi-final in Dubai (Australia in this scenario) the maximum time to prepare for the game on March 4. However, this places South Africa in the unfavorable situation of having recently flown from Pakistan to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan shortly thereafter.
India’s inability to play any of their tournament matches in Pakistan led to the convoluted scheduling; regardless of their Group A standings, they were slated to play in the semi-finals in Dubai. When India declined to travel to Pakistan for the competition, even though Pakistan was officially designated as the only host, such a situation seemed all but inevitable. With a plan to hold all of their matches in Lahore, the PCB has been trying to convince India to travel to Pakistan for several months. The Indian government, according to the BCCI, did not grant the team authorization to play cricket in Lahore.
South Africa will return to Pakistan later on Monday after over 36 hours in Dubai, while New Zealand will depart Dubai early in the morning for Lahore.
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