India Slammed For One-Venue Farce In Trophy

Former cricketers and pundits have slammed India's "undeniable" advantage of playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai while other teams have to shuttle between three venues in Pakistan and fly to the UAE.

- Agencies

DUBAI: Former cricketers and pundits have slammed India's "undeniable" advantage of playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai while other teams have to shuttle between three venues in Pakistan and fly to the UAE.

India refused to travel to hosts Pakistan for the 50-over tournament because of security concerns and political tensions and are playing all their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

A stand-off between the rivals lasted for more than a month, leaving the tournament in jeopardy until the Pakistan board agreed a compromise with the International Cricket Council.

The deal means Pakistan will play at a neutral venue in any ICC tournament hosted by India until 2027.

But in the immediate future it also means that should India reach the Champions Trophy final -- they are already in the semis -- the decider on March 9 will be in Dubai instead of Lahore.