All 4 semi-finalist are currently not in host nation Pakistan
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa have qualified for the SF
- The tournament is taking place in a hybrid model
- Dubai and Lahore will host the two semi-finals
While India and New Zealand are playing the last league stage match of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (March 2), both the South African and Australian teams are training at the nearby Internationa Cricket Council (ICC) academy in Dubai.
In what is largely an unprecedented situation, both Australia and South Africa flew from Pakistan on Saturday (March 1) evening to Dubai after securing their qualification to the semi-final despite the second semi-final taking place in Lahore on Wednesday (March 5).
Why Are All 4 Champions Trophy 2025 Teams In Dubai
The situation was caused due to the first semi-final, scheduled to take place in Dubai taking place on Tuesday (March 4) with a gap of just a day with the match between India and New Zealand. This has led to choas in the tournament as not just will the Rohit Sharma-led side have to play their knockout fixture with a quick turnover but Australia and South Africa will only their opponent less than 48 before the fixture is expected to kick off.
As per a Cricbuzz report, the ICC decided to fly both Australia and South Africa to fly to Dubai to ensure that both teams get enough to prepare for the game in case they have to play India. The team that has to face New Zealand will have back to Pakistan to play New Zealand by a flight on Monday (March 3).
For those unversed, the 2025 Champions Trophy is being played in a hybrid model after India refused to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons. The Men in Blue are playing all their matches in Dubai while the matches of the other seven teams are taking place in Pakistan across three cities (Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi).
The venue of the final is yet to be decied as it will take place in Dubai if India win their semi-final while Lahore will host the summit clash if the Rohit Sharma-led lose their semi-final.
As far as the semi-final is concerned, the winner of the India-New Zealand clash will face Australia and the loser will take on South Africa.
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