India has reached the Champions Trophy final, which will take place in Dubai despite Pakistan hosting the tournament, due to political tensions preventing Indian participation in Pakistan. India defeated Australia to earn their spot in the final and will enjoy logistical advantages compared to their opponents from the other semi-final. Critics suggest India’s financial influence has led to favorable arrangements in international cricket.
The final of the Champions Trophy will occur in Dubai, despite Pakistan being the designated host nation. India, due to political tensions, opted not to play in Pakistan and thus contested all matches in the United Arab Emirates. Following their victory over Australia by four wickets, India will face either South Africa or New Zealand in the final, significantly distanced from their original host city of Lahore.
Jay Shah, the newly appointed chair of the International Cricket Council, observed India’s successful run to the final. This scenario grants India an advantageous position, as they will not require any travel prior to the final, while the other semi-finalist will need to journey to the UAE after their match in Pakistan.
Critics have noted a lack of assertiveness in addressing India’s stipulations concerning match locations due to ongoing political tensions. As a result, what was hoped to be Pakistan’s most significant sporting event in decades will be concluded in a different country, fulfilling India’s preference for match locations.
This situation echoes the previous year’s T20 Cricket World Cup, where India received prior notice regarding their semi-final location. Additionally, they were uniquely exempt from playing night matches and faced fewer logistical challenges in the tournament’s opening stages. Consequently, there is a growing perception that India benefits from favorable arrangements due to its substantial financial influence in the sport.
In summary, political divisions have forced the Champions Trophy final to be played in Dubai, absent of its Pakistani host element, with India capitalizing on this advantageous situation. Having won their semi-final against Australia, India now stands to contest the final without the added burden of travel. Critics argue that such concessions highlight an existing bias favoring India in global cricket tournaments, stemming from their economic contributions.
Original Source: www.cityam.com
