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The Champions Trophy is being played for the first time in eight years, which most commentators agree is good news for the 50-over format’s future, but the cricket world has reacted unfavourably to an allowance made for India in the Pakistan-hosted tourmament.
Due to security issues arising from playing across the border in Pakistan, India are instead based in Dubai for the one-day tournament – forcing the reigning champion hosts to travel 2000km for the six-wicket loss to their arch rivals.
Not only does it reduce the stresses of travel for players and staff but it means they will play all group stage matches at Dubai International Stadium, allowing them to pick a squad tailored to that pitch.
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has spoken out about the unusual arrangement – but conceded that due to geopolitical tensions there was little chance of India playing their matches in Pakistan.
“So the best team in the tournament has that advantage,” he said on Sky Sports.
“I saw a tweet the other day saying, ‘Pakistan host nation, India home advantage’. And that sort of sums it up. They’re in one place. They’re in one hotel. There is no travel. They are in the one dressing room. They know the pitch. They’ve picked for that pitch.
“I think (with) selection, when they selected, they were very smart. They probably knew what Dubai was going to be like. They picked all their spinners. There was a bit of debate … from Indian media saying, ‘What haven’t you gone for the extra seamer? Why all these spinners?’ Well, we’ve seen why. And other sides have not done that.
“Pakistan … had one frontline spinner, you could argue. When the injuries came, they should have changed that, and I’ve made that argument.
“But all the other sides have to pick for different conditions (in) Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Dubai, and then they have to travel and adjust to those conditions. So it is an advantage. But … once India refused to come here to Pakistan, what else could happen?
“You can’t have a tournament about this without India (or) Pakistan. That’s not going to happen. So it had to be in Dubai, and they sit happily and comfortably there, knowing that they’re going to, you know, probably play six games there, and if they win all those, they’ll win another global tournament.”
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