Semi-finalists stranded in Dubai as ICC fails to protect CT credibility

ISLAMABAD: Gross mismanagement was witnessed during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy as all the four semi-finalist teams were stranded in Dubai on Sunday, awaiting the outcome of the final Group B match between New Zealand and India.

Meanwhile, the original host, Pakistan, remains in the dark about which team will return for the knockout stage, a scenario that makes a mockery of the tournament’s credibility. After bowing to India’s pre-tournament demand of not playing in Pakistan and shifting their matches to a neutral venue, the ICC has effectively undermined the prestige of this global event.

This decision not only set a dangerous precedent, allowing one country to dictate terms but also turned the tournament into an administrative nightmare. As it stands, the semi-finals are shrouded in uncertainty. Dubai is set to host the first semi-final on March 4, prompting Australia and South Africa to preemptively travel there on Saturday, completely unaware of where they will actually play.

It is arguably the first instance in sporting history where competing teams are clueless about the location of their crucial knockout matches just days before they take place. The ICC’s failure to assert its authority has put the integrity of cricket at stake.

By allowing India to impose its terms, the governing body has not only surrendered its control but also raised serious concerns about the game’s fairness.

Cricket has always been more than just a sport, it represents values, discipline, and unity. Yet, by caving in to India’s demands, the ICC has tarnished its own credibility and left Pakistan grappling with a compromised hosting role.

On Sunday, not a single semi-finalist team was in Pakistan. Instead, all the teams had gathered in Dubai, awaiting the final group match’s outcome, a scenario that weakens Pakistan’s legitimacy as the event’s host. Even the final, scheduled at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, remains in jeopardy, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan lacks logic, especially given the broader context of Indo-Pak relations. Off the field, interactions between the two nations remain relatively normal. Seven Indian journalists who obtained Pakistani visas are freely exploring Lahore and other cities, collecting memories to share back home.

Meanwhile, the borders remain calm. Yet, despite this, the BCCI has managed to exploit the situation to its advantage, with the ICC enabling their stance through complete compliance.

The ICC’s appeasement of India has set a dangerous trend, forcing Pakistan to adopt the same hybrid hosting model for the next three years, an approach that threatens to erode the sport’s essence. Rumors are already swirling that the Asia Cup in October may also be shifted to a neutral venue.

If global cricketing bodies genuinely wish to restore the sport’s integrity, they must enforce equal standards for all nations. Unless India and Pakistan agree to play on each other’s home soil, all major ICC and ACC events including the 2026 T20 World Cup should be held at neutral venues to prevent further chaos.

Cricket is meant to unite, not divide. Yet, under the ICC’s watch, the sport is becoming increasingly fractured-its harmony replaced by political maneuvering and power struggles. If swift corrective action is not taken, the future of international cricket will remain uncertain, plagued by the very instability that the ICC was meant to prevent.