Champions Trophy 2025 Scheduling Forces Australia And South Africa To Take This Action

The schedule of the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy 2025 favored India from its opening day, and the two semifinalists of the event, Australia and South Africa, will have to go through hard yards for their results.

Before the last league game of the eight-team competition, the Steve Smith and Temba Bavuma-led side have qualified for the semifinal but are unsure of their opponent. The final group-stage clash between the two confirmed semifinalists of the Group A, India and New Zealand, will give the key answer.

India to face Australia in Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai if they beat New Zealand.

There is not much importance in the last group fixture for both the Blue Brigade and the Blackcaps, but both Australia and South Africa will have to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this weekend to know their opponents.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025 Schedule Confirmed; More India vs Pakistan Matches Fixed

An ICC official reckoned that the authority decided to allow the side that plays the semifinal on March 04 enough time to prepare for the high-voltage knockout contest. It, however, guarantees one will find themselves in the optimal position of leaving Pakistan for Dubai only to return to the former country soon after for the second semifinal, which will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The second knock-out clash is on March 05, which means the schedule of the Champions Trophy will push one team to travel and train at a venue, they don’t need to be at for a day.

South Africa qualifies for Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal after victory vs England

Australia shifted to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 01 (Saturday) after they qualified for the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025, thanks to the abandoned clash against Afghanistan in Lahore on February 29.

The Proteas sealed qualification on Saturday evening with a comfortable victory over England, who seemed to be saving their worst for the last game. South Africa will depart for Dubai at noon on Sunday, when India will already start the game against the Kiwis.

The Rohit Sharma-led side has no issues. They will play their final group game of CT 2025 on Sunday before taking part in the first semifinal on Tuesday in Dubai. However, if they win against the Mitchell Santer-led side, they will face Australia, while if they lose, they will be up for a replay of the T20 World Cup 2024 final.

Players question India’s advantage of the same venue for the entire Champions Trophy

The scenario was all but inevitable given the importance of India playing all of their games outside Pakistan, despite the country given the sole mark of hosting the entire competition. At one stage, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was fully committed to hosting the games in Lahore.

Also Read: Shubman Gill Set To Captain India In Last Champions Trophy 2025 Group Match

The BCCI stated that the Indian government did not grant the team permission to play cricket in Lahore because of the significant political tension between the two countries.

“I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that. The onus would be on them to use that advantage. In a sense, it puts more pressure on them because whoever is going to play them in the semi or potentially the final is going to go there, and the conditions are going to be foreign, but they (India) are going to be used to it.” South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen calls Dubai India’s home advantage for the Champions Trophy.