South Africa to Return to Lahore for Knockout ClashI
ESPN cricinfo Staff
March 2, 2025 – 15 hours ago
India will take on Australia in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday after securing a dominant 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final group-stage match. Meanwhile, New Zealand will travel to Lahore for their semi-final showdown against South Africa on Wednesday.
The tournament’s scheduling has led to logistical complications, as both Australia and South Africa had already flown to Dubai. An ICC official stated that the arrangement was made to provide the Dubai semi-finalists Australia in this case with optimal preparation time. However, this has created challenges for South Africa, who must now return to Pakistan after a brief stay in Dubai.
Why India’s Semi-final Was Set in Dubai
India’s refusal to play matches in Pakistan resulted in a pre-determined decision that their semi-final would take place in Dubai, regardless of their Group A ranking. The PCB spent months attempting to secure India’s participation in Pakistan, even offering to host all their matches in Lahore. However, the BCCI cited government restrictions preventing the Indian team from traveling to Pakistan.
New Zealand & South Africa Face Travel Hurdles
New Zealand is set to depart for Lahore early Monday morning, while South Africa will return to Pakistan later in the day after spending approximately 36 hours in Dubai.
“We’ll be leaving [Dubai] around 12:30 or 1:00 AM,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Sinter said after the match. “As soon as we arrive, we’ll rest, train, and prepare to move forward.”
Rohan Sharma on India’s Momentum in the Champions Trophy
India remains the only unbeaten team in the tournament, having won all three of their group-stage matches. Captain Rohan Sharma highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum heading into the crucial semi-final against Australia.
“Momentum is crucial in a short tournament like this,” Rohan stated. “Winning every game is key, and while mistakes happen, correcting them quickly is what matters. We’ve been improving match by match, and we’ll aim to continue that against Australia.”
India vs Australia: A High-Stakes Semi-final Clash
Acknowledging Australia’s formidable record in ICC tournaments, Rohan stressed the need for India to focus on their strategy.
“They have a strong history in ICC events, but for us, it’s about executing our plans effectively. It’s going to be an exciting contest, and hopefully, we can take another step toward the title.
Stay connected with the ZAFF Trend for the latest updates!
