Controversy Erupts Over Scheduling in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Former Pakistan cricketer Junaid Khan has blamed the BCCI and India for benefiting from travel scheduling in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He pointed out the travel distances faced by competing teams and suggested that India had an advantage by playing all matches at one venue in Dubai. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir refuted these claims, emphasizing a lack of local practice and dismissing the accusations of an undue advantage.

The controversy surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduling continues, as former Pakistani pacer Junaid Khan voiced his concerns regarding the disparity in travel distances among the participating teams. His remarks coincided with the championship final between India and New Zealand held at the Dubai International Stadium. Junaid pointedly highlighted that while India played all their matches in Dubai, New Zealand and South Africa faced significant travel distances of 7,150 and 3,286 kilometers respectively, declaring, “Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling…”

India’s location has restricted its travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournament, leading the ICC to designate the UAE as a neutral venue. Critics suggest that this arrangement has granted India a competitive edge. In response to these allegations, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, found the claims unfounded. He noted their lack of local practice time and stated, “Some people are just perpetual cribbers… I feel that there was nothing like we had any undue advantage or we had planned something like that.”

This situation raises questions about fairness and the effects of scheduling in international cricket competitions, particularly as opinions diverge on how much of an advantage geographical placement can confer. As the debate intensifies, it remains to be seen how ICC may address scheduling in future tournaments to ensure equity among teams.

In conclusion, the discussions surrounding the scheduling of the 2025 Champions Trophy have brought to light concerns about competitive fairness. Junaid Khan has underscored the discrepancies in travel distances, while Indian coach Gautam Gambhir has rebutted accusations of undue advantage for his team. The situation calls for careful assessment and potential changes to scheduling protocols to promote fairness in international cricket.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com