New Delhi: Legendary West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards has questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the quandary of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule. The 72-year-old held the global body accountable for scheduling the Indian team’s matches in Dubai.
On Sunday, the semifinal fixtures were confirmed after India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in their final group fixture of Group A. India will face Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday in Dubai while South Africa will take on the Black Caps in the second semifinal game on Wednesday in Lahore.
However, before India and New Zealand’s match on Sunday, there was a state of confusion for the other two semifinalists on where their semifinal match will be played. India has been scheduled to play all of its matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium because of their board’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Both South Africa and Australia cricket teams were flown to Dubai with one of them to potentially play India in the semifinal. The ICC wanted both teams to acclimate in Dubai with enough time to prepare for the knockout game given that both played their Champions Trophy Group B matches in Pakistan.
Australia, the second-placed team in Group B, will face India and South Africa will be back in Lahore along with the Kiwis to decide one of the two finalists in the event. But the catch is that both South Africa and New Zealand won’t be certain where they will play the final even if they progress further.
If India advances to the final then it will be held in Dubai, and if Pakistan advances to the final then it will take place in Lahore.
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Masters League, Richards, who is a governing council member was asked by News9 in a virtual press conference if India had any particular advantage over the schedule.
“People may have a point when they say that. I guess that’s due to politics — I don’t want to get into the political side of things,” said Richards.
“But I believe the people who are responsible, in terms of the governing and the ruling of the game in itself, which is the ICC, they’re the ones who I think got the problem.”
“I would like them to come up with an answer. Why? If they are the governing body of cricket, why is that happening at present? I honestly believe one of the things that can bring all of us together, fans and everyone, even enemies together, (is) sports,” he added.
Vivian Richards criticised the ICC’s scheduling of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals. India’s matches are all in Dubai due to their board refusing to travel to Pakistan. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
