Published: Mar 02, 2025, 08:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 02, 2025, 08:29 PM (IST)
The ICC has come under the bus for their controlling of the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule. Cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards has questioned the cricketing body for answers on the messed up travel arrangements for the semifinals.
Australia and South Africa both had to fly to Dubai in order to wait for their semifinal opponent, which has come as India and New Zealand are currently facing each other in their final clash of the league-matches.
The confusion came in as India played all their matches in Dubai, indicating that the final group-stage against New Zealand will determine the lineup for semifinals. As Australia’s clash against Afghanistan got washed out, they qualified for sure, but their opponent is undetermined.
Sir Vivian Richards, who is a former West Indies captain and one of sport’s most respected people, did not hold back while criticising the cricket governing body.
“People may have a point when they say that. I guess that’s due to politics — I don’t want to get into the politic side of things,” Richards told reporters.
“But I believe the people who are responsible, in terms of the governing and the ruling of the game in itself which is the ICC, they’re the ones who I think got the problem. I would like them to come up with an answer, why? If they are the governing body of cricket, why is that happening at present? I honestly believe one of the things that can bring all of us together, fans and everyone, even enemies together, (is) sports,” he said.
As the final is also set to be played in Dubai in case India makes it to the title decider, critics argue that ICC has failed to ensure a level playing field. The mess faced by Australia and South Africa has done nothing but intensified this examination.
