The Australian cricket team has already departed for Dubai, while South Africa are set to leave late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, ahead of the Champions Trophy semifinals. However, uncertainty looms over whether their matches will actually be held there.
Dubai is scheduled to host the first semifinal on Tuesday, while Lahore is set to host the second on Wednesday. The semifinal lineup remains undecided, with India’s opponent — either Australia or South Africa — set to be confirmed only after India’s last Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. India have played all their matches in Dubai, giving them a potential advantage over traveling teams.
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A source familiar with the developments told PTI that Australia departed for Dubai. The decision was made following their match against Afghanistan, which was abandoned due to rain on Friday night in Lahore.
A BBC report earlier suggested that both Australia and South Africa sought to reach Dubai early to maximize training time if they were to face India in Tuesday’s semifinal.
“Group B concludes with South Africa’s match against England on Saturday, but neither the Proteas nor Australia will know their semifinal venue until after India’s match against New Zealand on Sunday,” the report noted.
“Were they (Australia and South Africa) to wait until Monday and only travel when the fixtures were confirmed, that would rule out the possibility of training in Dubai, where India will have played all three group matches,” it added.
The BBC report also highlighted a possible scenario where Australia and South Africa might have to return to Pakistan within 24 hours of leaving, depending on the final standings.
As per the tournament format, the team finishing second in Group A will face the winners of Group B, and vice versa. Regardless of their final position in the group, India are assured of playing their semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday.