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IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 1st Semi Final

Charbel Coorey
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IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 1st Semi Final

Buckle your seatbelts, the 1st Semi Final of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) is here. India and Australia go head-to-head in another chapter of what is an incredible rivalry, and a CT Final is up for grabs.

The bookmakers have India as hot favourites. Rightly so. Their batting has the depth, with Ravindra Jadeja batting at eight. Even as the top three failed against New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya led the way to get India to a defendable total.

From there, it was India’s spinners who took over, and that is set to be the template once again. Varun Chakravarthy made an immediate impact, spinning the ball both ways with immaculate control. Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav make up a formidable four-pronged attack. If Australia are to win this, they will have to bat out of their skin.

The spotlight is on Travis Head. It makes sense as he has caused nightmare after nightmare for India over the past 18 months. However, Steve Smith, along with Josh Inglis and Alex Carey, are also crucial to Australia’s chances given their ability to play spin. And, of course, whether Australia have the depth and quality in their attack to restrict India is a big question.

This game matters so much for India in particular given what happened in the 2023 World Cup Final on home soil. In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIs, Dubai pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 1st Semi Final of CT 2025.

CT 2025 1st Semi Final: IND vs AUS Possible Playing XIs

India played four spinners against New Zealand and are likely to do so again.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Axar Patel, 6. KL Rahul (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Kuldeep Yadav/Harshit Rana, 11. Varun Chakravarthy

Australia have more questions to answer. With Matt Short out injured, who opens? There is speculation Jake Fraser-McGurk will come in to ensure Australia keep their important middle order intact. Also, Tanveer Sangha is a chance of playing given conditions in Dubai.

Australia: 1. Travis Head, 2. Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Alex Carey, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Spencer Johnson/Tanveer Sangha

Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

Spin to win. Scores have been on the lower end compared to modern ODI standards. India’s 249/9 was enough against New Zealand with their spinners taking nine of the ten wickets to fall.

There is a case to either bat or bowl first. Expect the surface to take more turn as the day goes on, but scoring could be difficult under the Dubai sun. A warm and mostly clear day is forecast with a top of 29 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs AUS: Top Picks/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Josh Inglis is a good player of spin and should get a decent opportunity to bat. His last innings was a superb 120* (86) against England at Lahore. The India-in-Dubai challenge will be tougher, but Inglis has the game to score.

Key batter picks:

  • Virat Kohli loves batting against Australia. He has struck 2,367 runs at 53.79, including 264 runs against Adam Zampa at an average of 52.8 and strike rate of 107.8.
  • Shubman Gill missed out against New Zealand but he still remains in fine touch. Before his score of 2 against NZ, Gill had scored 87, 60, 112, 101* and 46 in his previous five ODIs.
  • Shreyas Iyer has been magnificent at number four. Including his crucial 79 against New Zealand, Iyer has scored 1,215 ODI runs at an average of 48.6 and strike rate of 108.5 since the start of 2023.
  • Travis Head is always a strong Dream11 pick. While there is a chance the slow Dubai track could limit Head’s impact, there is the possibility he will bowl some overs as well given the make up of the Australian attack. Since the start of 2022, Head has scored 1,455 ODI runs at an average of 58.2 and strike rate of 122.2.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Axar Patel showed his worth when it comes to Dream11 in the New Zealand game, scoring 117 points. He bats at five and is a key bowler on a Dubai surface offering assistance. Must pick.
  • Glenn Maxwell is expected to play a very important role with the ball in this game. A pitch offering spin and Maxwell’s batting ability makes him a must-pick as well. The Big Show strikes at 134.13 in ODIs against India (943 runs, avg. 34.92), including 154 off 131 against Jadeja (two dismissals) and 99 off 69 against Kuldeep (three dismissals).

Key bowler picks:

  • Varun Chakravarthy simply cannot be left out of your Dream11 teams. He put on a masterclass against New Zealand (5/42) and has been in magnificent form in white-ball cricket this year. On a pitch offering spin, he has so much wicket-taking potential.
  • Kuldeep Yadav has taken five wickets in the past two matches in this Champions Trophy. He will also be a challenge to handle on this surface.
  • Adam Zampa is vital to Australia’s hopes. He strikes every 35 deliveries on average against India and has taken 88 wickets in 46 innings in ODIs since the start of 2022 (avg. 24.6).

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

  • Steve Smith is a key player for Australia given his ability to play spin. In ODIs, Smith has struck 1,310 runs against India at an average of 52.40 and strike rate of 100.46. This includes six fifties and five hundreds.
  • Rohit Sharma has looked good at the top, but hasn’t quite gone on to make a big score in this tournament. Can he go on to make a substantial score? He averages 58.02 in 45 ODIs against Australia (2,379 runs).
  • Hardik Pandya can be a handy pick if India bats first. Spin is more important which may limit Hardik’s bowling.
  • Marnus Labuschagne could be called on to bowl. Also, he has four half-centuries in 12 innings against India in ODIs.

Other Stats and Key Matchups

  • Steve Smith vs Ravindra Jadeja in ODIs: 188 balls, 222 runs, two dismissals, SR 118.1.
  • Steve Smith vs Kuldeep Yadav in ODIs: 145 balls, 126 runs, two dismissals, SR 86.9.
  • Adam Zampa has dismissed Rohit Sharma four times in ODIs at an average of 31.8. Rohit strikes at 99.2 against him (127 runs off 128 balls).
  • Adam Zampa has also dismissed Shreyas Iyer twice in 64 balls (56 runs) and Shubman Gill twice in 47 balls (37 runs).
  • Ravindra Jadeja averages 53.64 with the ball in 41 innings against Australia in ODIs.
  • Varun Chakravarthy has dismissed Glenn Maxwell three times in 30 balls in the IPL (46 runs). Can he transfer this to the ODI format?

CT 2025 1st Semi Final: IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 1st Semi Final of CT 2025 between India & Australia
CT 2025 1st Semi Final: IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 1st Semi Final of CT 2025 between India & Australia
CT 2025 1st Semi Final: IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 1st Semi Final: IND vs AUS Match Prediction – Who will win?

Can Australia challenge India? Possibly. But, India have too much depth and experience, especially with their spinners in these Dubai conditions. India to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Australia possible 11 for CT 2025 Semi-Final against India

Charbel Coorey
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0
Australia possible 11 for CT 2025 Semi-Final against India

After India’s win over New Zealand on Sunday, Australia are confirmed to play against Rohit Sharma’s team in the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) semi-final in Dubai.

Conditions in the UAE have been vastly different to those in Pakistan. Australia played both their games in Lahore in mostly batting-friendly conditions. Now, they will embark on the Dubai challenge, where the surfaces have taken more turn as the tournament has progressed.

This may shape Australia’s thinking in terms of the bowling attack. Also, Matt Short is ruled out with a quad injury, so who replaces him at the top is another key question for the Australians to answer.

Australia predicted XI for the semi-final against India in Dubai

1. Travis Head, 2. Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Alex Carey, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Spencer Johnson

Matt Short’s injury leaves a hole in both the opening position and bowling attack. Australia have the option of reshuffling their batting order or taking a gamble on the out-of-form Jake Fraser-McGurk in the hope he produces a scintillating performance.

According to cricket.com.au, Australia are strongly considering Fraser-McGurk to open alongside Head as opposed to having Josh Inglis open. The thinking here is Fraser-McGurk is likely to produce more against the new balls compared to Aaron Hardie or Cooper Connolly in the middle order. Also, Inglis’ efficiency against spin will be crucial against India’s four-pronged spin attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

ALSO READ: Do India really have “home advantage” in Dubai?

Another decision for Australia is the make up of the bowling attack. Short’s absence leaves them short a bowler, so there is the option of playing specialist legspinner Tanveer Sangha on a turning Dubai track.

However, Spencer Johnson’s ability to swing the new ball could provide Australia with wicket-taking opportunities in the powerplay. Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis have both held their own with their variations so far in this Champions Trophy. Also, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head can be called on to offer spin in support of Adam Zampa.

Australia can create more chances on Dubai pitch – Adam Zampa

No matter which option Australia choose, they face a tall order in knocking off in-form India in Dubai. Batting first could be the way to go on a sluggish pitch, but whether Australia have the bowling depth to defend a total remains to be seen. Conversely, whether Australia have it in them to chase against India’s spinners is a big challenge.

However, if there is one thing we know about Australia, it is they’ll tackle any challenge head on. Steve Smith, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey in particular are all fine players of spin when they get going, and Smith as captain has shown how well he can navigate around an inexperienced bowling attack so far in this tournament.

“The wickets that we’ve had in Lahore, creating wickets through the middle up front can be quite tough,” said Adam Zampa to cricket.com.au in Dubai.

“(Playing in Dubai) changes it a little bit. Potentially a slower, lower wicket, so there might be an opportunity to create a few more chances.”

The winner of this semi-final will play either South Africa and New Zealand, who play their match on Wednesday in Lahore.

IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 12th Match

Charbel Coorey
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0
IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 12th Match

The 12th and final league match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) sees two of the tournament favourites – India and New Zealand – battle it out for top spot in Group A and a semi-final against Australia. There is every chance that this could be a sneaky preview of next week’s final given how well they have played.

Both teams have looked impressive so far, producing efficient performances. However, the big tests are still to come given Pakistan and Bangladesh left a lot to be desired, and more momentum is up for grabs here.

India have chased well, but this is a good opportunity to set a score if they get the chance. The Black Caps may be back in Dubai next week, so this could prove to be priceless gametime depending on how they perform in the midweek semi-final.

In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIs, Dubai pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 12th match of CT 2025.

CT 2025 12th Match: IND vs NZ Possible Playing XIs

India could make a change or two, including Arshdeep Singh.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Axar Patel, 6. KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Harshit Rana/Arshdeep Singh, 11. Kuldeep Yadav

New Zealand also look settled but may wish to give game time to squad members.

New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Rachin Ravindra, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Glenn Phillips, 7. Michael Bracewell, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Matt Henry, 10. Will O’Rourke, 11. Kyle Jamieson

Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the first game in Dubai since India’s win over Pakistan a week ago. It was another slow pitch in that game, similar to the kind of surface seen in the India-Bangladesh game.

A score of 270 batting first could be a tricky one to chase as scoring in the middle overs can be a challenge. However, both sides have players to negotiate this period well. A clear and breezy day is forecast with a top of 25 degrees, according to AccuWeather. So, dew may not be a factor.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs NZ: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Tom Latham is in fine touch and is an excellent player of spin. His sweeping could prove very effective in slow, low conditions. Also, in 22 innings against India, Latham has scored 876 runs at an average of 48.66 and strike rate of 94.39.

Key batter picks:

  • Shubman Gill is in outstanding form and averages 62.13 after 52 ODIs. Against New Zealand in ODIs, Gill has scored 590 runs at an average of 84.28 and strike rate of 109.66.
  • Virat Kohli was at his best against Pakistan. In 31 matches against the Black Caps, Kohli has struck 1,645 runs at an average of 58.75 with nine fifties and six hundreds.
  • Rachin Ravindra made the perfect return against Bangladesh, scoring 112 off 105 balls. He enjoys playing on the up which can be difficult to do in Dubai, but he is a superb timer of the ball.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Axar Patel looks to be the best all-rounder pick given he bats higher up the order and is a key bowler in these conditions. He’s picked up three wickets so far in this tournament.

Key bowler picks:

  • Mohammed Shami can test Devon Conway with the inswinging delivery, especially around the wicket. Shami has dismissed Conway once in eight balls in ODIs (1 run) and three times in 16 balls in the IPL (15 runs). He’s also dismissed Kane Williamson three times at an average of 25.
  • Matt Henry will be one to watch on the sluggish Dubai track with his accuracy. He has dismissed Rohit Sharma twice in 51 balls in ODIs at an average of 23.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

  • Rohit Sharma can provide a fast start but can he go on to deliver big fantasy points? He is definitely worth a pick in Dream11 teams and it can pay off if he gets through the powerplay.
  • KL Rahul didn’t bat against Pakistan, but he could get a chance either batting first or second given New Zealand’s quality. Rahul has good numbers against the Black Caps in ODIs: 6 inns, 271 runs, avg. 67.75, SR 109.71.
  • Since the start of 2023, Shreyas Iyer has struck 1,136 ODI runs at an average of 47.3 and strike rate of 111.2. Against NZ, Iyer has hammered 484 runs at 69.14 (SR 104.98).
  • Kuldeep Yadav can be tricky to handle on a Dubai pitch offering assistance for the spinners. He took three wickets in his last match against Pakistan, and has dismissed Kane Williamson twice in 49 balls in ODIs (41 runs).
  • It’s a big game for Kane Williamson who has had a quiet tournament so far. Against India, Williamson has scored 1,147 runs at an average of 44.11 and strike rate of 76.21.
  • Michael Bracewell was superb with the ball against Pakistan and Bangladesh, but will India be as generous? Nonetheless, Bracewell can offer Dream11 points with both bat and ball in these conditions.

Other Stats and Matchups

  • Rohit Sharma in ODIs vs New Zealand: 27 inns, 982 runs, avg. 37.76, SR 85.39.
  • Mohammed Shami in ODIs vs New Zealand: 14 inns, 37 wickets, avg. 19.32, SR 19.13. Shami took 7/57 in the WC semi-final against the Black Caps.
  • Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Santner: 259 balls, 180 runs, three dismissals.
  • Shubman Gill vs Matt Henry: 78 balls, 61 runs, one dismissal.
  • Tom Latham vs Kuldeep Yadav: 92 balls, 101 runs, three wickets, SR 109.8.
  • Mitchell Santner averages 62.64 with the ball in 23 ODIs against India. Ravindra Jadeja’s record against New Zealand is worse, with an average of 81.75 in 14 ODIs.

CT 2025 12th Match: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 12th match of CT 2025 between India & New Zealand
CT 2025 12th Match: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 12th match of CT 2025 between India & New Zealand
CT 2025 12th Match: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 12th Match: IND vs NZ Match Prediction – Who will win?

India are outstanding in group games of ICC tournaments and I back them to win here as well. So, I think India will play Australia in one semi-final with New Zealand vs. South Africa in the other.

ALSO READ: Do India really have “home ground advantage” in this Champions Trophy?

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Jos Buttler steps down as England white-ball captain

Charbel Coorey
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Jos Buttler steps down as England white-ball captain

Jos Buttler has stepped down as England white-ball captain following their elimination from the group stage of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Following the defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore, speculation grew around whether Buttler will step down or if England’s team management would make the call. Given his comments to Sky Sports, it seemed the former was inevitable.

“Obviously I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket and the result,” Buttler said. “Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution? I think that’s what I’ve got to work out.”

Jos Buttler resigns as England captain – a challenging tenure in ODIs comes to an end

England’s Champions Trophy match against South Africa in Karachi on March 1 will be Buttler’s last as captain. It brings an end to a difficult tenure as ODI captain, with England winning 18 and losing 25 under his leadership. However, as many England fans have pointed out, their ODI issues seem to run deeper than just the captain.

The highlight of Buttler’s white-ball captaincy is the 2022 T20 World Cup triumph in Australia. He also contributed with the bat, most notably in the semi-final where he and Alex Hales chased India’s 168 with ten wickets and four overs to spare in Adelaide.

However, three poor ICC tournaments since have taken its toll. England were woeful in the 2023 ODI World Cup, struggled against full member nations in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and disappointed again in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Buttler spoke at a press conference on the eve of England’s match against South Africa. “I’m going to stand down as England captain. It’s the right decision for me, it’s the right decision for the team, and hopefully someone else who can come in and work closely alongside Baz [Brendon McCullum] to take the team back to where it needs to be,” Buttler said.

When asked what prompted his decision, Buttler said, “It was quite clear this tournament was going to be important results wise for my captaincy, and obviously, two losses and being out of the tournament with a bit of a hangover of some tournaments before… just probably reached the end of the road for me and my captaincy, which is a shame. I’m sad about that, and obviously with Brendon coming in only recently, I was really excited to work closely alongside him and hope for a very quick turnaround and take the team forward.

“But, it’s not quite worked out that way, so it just feels like it’s the right time for me and for the team to have a change.”

When asked about whether he’s keen to continue as a player in 50-over cricket, Buttler said, “I’ll still be available, we’ll see what the coach wants to do there.”

Will Pat Cummins play in IPL 2025?

Charbel Coorey
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0

Pat Cummins is on track to be fit to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Cummins missed the Champions Trophy due to both the impending birth of his second child and an ankle injury suffered in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but is now bowling again.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Cummins said his ankle rehab has gone well. His next focus will be bowling regularly for the next few weeks to be ready for the IPL and World Test Championship Final.

“The ankle is all going strong, [have been] able to give it a good rest and then been building up slowly, which you don’t get to do when you play lots of cricket,” Cummins said.

“It’s feeling as strong as it has for a fair while. Should be fine [for the IPL], that’s the plan. So have a few weeks of bowling, building back up and then hopefully don’t have to worry about it for a while.”

Pat Cummins on track to play IPL 2025, WTC Final and West Indies Tests

Australia’s Test and ODI captain revealed his ankle is something he manages on a regular basis. It flared up during the thrilling Boxing Day Test against India, where Cummins played a crucial role in Australia’s victory which put them 2-1 up in the series.

“It’s something that we’ve opted never to have surgery on or intervene too much, just a lot to rehab,” said Cummins. “Having this break meant that I could get a couple of cortisones and really rehab it well the last couple of weeks.”

Cummins is set to lead SRH again in what promises to be another exciting year. The franchise, with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen in their ranks, broke all kinds of records in 2024, including 125/0 in the powerplay against Delhi Capitals. They reached the final but saved their worst performance till last, knocked over for 113 against Kolkata Knight Riders.

SRH will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad on March 23.

Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for IPL 2025: Pat Cummins (c, OS), Heinrich Klaasen (OS), Travis Head (OS), Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa (OS), Rahul Chahar, Abhinav Manohar, Brydon Carse (OS), Simarjeet Singh, Kamindu Mendis (OS), Eshan Malinga (OS), Arthava Taide, Sachin Baby, Aniket Verma, Zeeshan Ansari

SA vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 11th Match

Robin Rounder
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SA vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 11th Match

It’s England against South Africa in the 11th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT). This will be the third and final game in Karachi, and Jos Buttler’s last as captain. South Africa will look to seal their spot in the semi-finals, and England, on the other hand, will look to end their campaign with a win.

The Proteas defeated Afghanistan by 107 runs in their first match on this ground, before their second game got washed out. They are looking in top form, with their bowlers and batters performing well. A washed-out game meant more time to recover for Heinrich Klaasen, and most probably, he should be playing this game.

South Africa has excellent depth in both batting and bowling. The likes of Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen lengthen their batting lineup. Then, they have Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and other pace options with the ball.

Meanwhile, England continued their horror run in white-ball cricket as they were knocked out by Afghanistan in their last game. They conceded 325 runs, which was a disappointing result as they took three early wickets.

However, 326 was gettable but their batters then failed to get going, except for Joe Root (120 runs). The second-highest score for England was 38 runs. The likes of Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone and Jamie Smith have failed miserably in this tournament. There have been a few injury concerns in the English camp as well.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIs, Karachi pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 prediction for the 11th match of CT 2025.

CT 2025 11th Match: SA vs ENG Possible Playing XIs

Heinrich Klaasen is expected to play this game.

South Africa: 1. Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma (c), 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Keshav Maharaj, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Tom Banton and Saqib Mahmood are expected to replace Salt and Wood. Rehan Ahmed and Gus Atkinson may replace Livingstone and Archer if they’re not 100% fit.

On the eve of the match, Jos Buttler announced this will be his final outing as captain.

England: 1. Tom Banton (wk), 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Jamie Smith, 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jos Buttler (c), 7. Jamie Overton, 8. Liam Livingstone/Rehan Ahmed, 9. Jofra Archer/Gus Atkinson, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Saqib Mahmood

Karachi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

The pitch is expected to be a good one for batting in this game. The ball will come onto the bat nicely and there will be some help for the spinners as well, especially in the first innings. The tri-series matches were played at this venue ahead of the Champions Trophy. The average first innings score was 307 runs, followed by scores of 320/5 and 315/6 in this tournament.

The team batting first has won both games in Karachi in this tournament, but there will be the temptation to chase as batting second worked nicely in the tri-series. A bright sunny day awaits the fans with a high of 28 degrees Celsius. There is no chance of rain.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for SA vs ENG: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:

  • Ryan Rickelton scored a brilliant century in the first game against Afghanistan. He’s been in sublime form lately and will be a must in your fantasy teams. Rickelton has 274 runs in five ODIs since 2024 at an average of 54.80 with a fifty and hundred.
  • Heinrich Klaasen has been the best batter for the Proteas in ODIs since 2024: 351 runs in 4 innings at an average of 87.75 with four fifties. Against England, Klaasen has struck 291 runs at an average of 48.50 and strike rate of 126.52.
  • Jos Buttler has failed to convert his starts into big scores, but he is a player who can cause damage. He has scored 555 runs against the Proteas in 15 games at an average of 46.20, including two fifties and two centuries.

Key batter picks:

  • Joe Root is the best fantasy pick for this match. He’s been in sublime form lately and scores runs for fun. He scored 120 in the last game and 68 in the first game. Root is expected to bowl a few overs as well. He averages 45.50 against the Proteas, including two hundreds and three fifties.
  • Temba Bavuma scored 58 in the first game. He averages 54.70 against England for his 328 runs in six ODIs, including a fifty and a hundred. He can fetch good points and will be a must in your fantasy teams.
  • Rassie van der Dussen averages 51.90 against England with a couple of fifties and two centuries. He has scored 467 runs against them in 10 innings. Rassie scored 52 in the first match against Afghanistan. He will be a key batter for his team.
  • Ben Duckett scored 165 runs in the first game against Australia and 38 in the last match. He’s been the in-form batter for England and will be a top pick. However, Duckett has a poor record against the Proteas in ODIs: 23 runs in 3 games at an average of 7.70.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Aiden Markam scored 52* in the first game. He has a decent record against England: 255 runs in seven innings at 43.50 with a fifty. Markam may bowl an over or two if required. 
  • Marco Jansen has 113 runs in three innings against England including a knock of 75. He has picked up five wickets in three innings at an average of 30.80. Jansen can fetch points from both bat and ball.

Key bowler picks:

  • Kagiso Rabda picked up three wickets in the first game. He has 21 wickets in 10 games against England in ODIs. He will be a must in your fantasy teams and a good C/VC option if South Africa is bowling first.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team

  • Adil Rashid has been a key bowler for his side. He has 23 wickets in 17 ODIs against South Africa. He can pick up 2-3 wickets on his day.
  • David Miller averages 74.40 against England in 10 innings for 372 runs. He has five fifties against them. He can be a game-changer in fantasy cricket in this match.

Other Matchups and Facts

  • Head to Head (ODIs): England (30), South Africa (34) 
  • Marco Jansen vs Joe Root (ODIs): 4 deliveries, 1 run, 1 dismissal.
  • Kagiso Rabada has dismissed Jos Buttler thrice in 33 deliveries for 24 runs in ODIs.

CT 2025 11th Match: SA vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Karachi Pitch Report for the 11th match of CT 2025 between England & South Africa
CT 2025 11th Match: SA vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Karachi Pitch Report for the 11th match of CT 2025 between England & South Africa
CT 2025 11th Match: SA vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 11th Match: SA vs ENG Match Prediction: Who will win?

Based on current form and team balance, South Africa are the clear favourites to win this match. They have excellent depth in their batting and a top-class pace attack. It’s not going to be easy for England, especially their current form and injury concerns in the camp. South Africa to win this match.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

AFG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 10th Match

Charbel Coorey
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AFG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 10th Match

The 10th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) has a lot riding on it. As predicted on The CricBlog Podcast, Australia and Afghanistan look to be fighting it out for the second semi-final spot behind South Africa, with the Proteas needing victory against already eliminated England to qualify.

Afghanistan, who were outstanding against England, have a great chance of knocking off Australia. The Afghans have given the Australians a difficult time in the last two ICC events, beating them at the 2024 T20 World Cup after a Glenn Maxwell miracle denied them in the 2023 edition.

However, there are a couple of key questions for Afghanistan. The first is how well they can back up less than 48 hours after their victory. Also, they look much stronger batting first, so can they chase well if needed?

For Australia, this will be their first game since beating England last Saturday, with rain washing out their game against South Africa. They were excellent in chasing 352 on this ground, but they will need to find ways to take regular wickets, especially if Afghanistan bat first. Should the Aussies lose, they will need to rely on England to do them a favour by beating South Africa by a big enough margin to qualify on net run rate.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIs, Lahore pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 prediction for what promises to be a fascinating 10th match of CT 2025.

CT 2025 10th Match: AFG vs AUS Possible Playing XIs

Afghanistan could stick with the same XI.

Afghanistan: 1. Ibrahim Zadran, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3. Sediqullah Atal, 4. Rahmat Shah, 5. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 6. Azmatullah Omarzai, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Gulbadin Naib, 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Noor Ahmad, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Spencer Johnson was overlooked during the death overs against England. Sean Abbott could come into the XI.

Australia: 1. Matthew Short, 2. Travis Head, 3. Steven Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Alex Carey, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Sean Abbott/Spencer Johnson, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Nathan Ellis, 11. Adam Zampa

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

There is the threat of rain in Lahore, but fingers crossed things should be clear in the afternoon and evening. AccuWeather forecasts 4mm of rain to fall but all in the morning, with partly cloudy conditions from the late morning onwards.

The Lahore track is a batting belter. England’s 351 was chased with 15 balls to spare by Australia, before Afghanistan smashed 113 runs in the final ten overs to reach 325/7 against England as well.

Australia may opt to chase again, but that could be a risky move given Afghanistan are strong when batting first. So, it’s likely that Afghanistan will bat first in this game as they made that call at the toss against England.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AFG vs AUS: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz hasn’t got going yet in this tournament, but he can fire at any moment, especially batting first. He averages 52.15 in 26 ODIs batting first compared to 20.42 in 22 ODIs batting second.
  • Josh Inglis, who smashed 120* against England on this ground, will be vital against Afghanistan’s spinners in the middle overs.
  • Consider Alex Carey for your Dream11 teams. He is in excellent form, with 274 runs in his last five ODIs at an average of 68.5 and strike rate of 107.5. He is proactive against spin, which is vital against Afghanistan.

Key batter picks:

  • Ibrahim Zadran hit the highest-ever score in the Champions Trophy two days ago (177). He is Also, he scored 129* (143) against Australia in the 2023 World Cup, which drove Afghanistan to 291/5 in Mumbai.
  • Travis Head missed out against England, but he is such a dangerous player in these conditions. In all ODIs since the start of 2022, Head has scored 1,396 runs at an average of 55.8 and strike rate of 121.3.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Glenn Maxwell against Afghanistan needs no reminding. He has regularly scored runs against them across formats, with his 201* in Mumbai one of the very best ODI knocks. Given he will be required to bowl as well, Maxwell is a must pick in Dream11.
  • Azmatullah Omarzai produced a magnificent all-round performance two days ago (41 and 5/58). With Australia lacking some punch and depth in their attack, Omarzai is a player who can add real impetus to the Afghanistan innings.
  • Mohammad Nabi continues to produce the goods. He smashed 40 (24) and took 2/57 (8) against England.

Key bowler picks:

  • Rashid Khan will be sure to test the Australians. Plus, he can contribute Dream11 fantasy points with the bat, just like he did in the 2023 World Cup where he struck 35* off 18 balls.
  • Adam Zampa is a vital cog in the Aussie lineup and will be required to keep things tight in the middle overs. He may even bowl at the death which increases chances of taking wickets. Since the start of 2022, Zampa has taken 86 ODI wickets at an average of 24.6 and economy of 5.55.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Teams

  • Marnus Labuschagne looked in good touch with the bat against England. Also, he is expected to play a role with the ball again, which can deliver fantasy points.
  • Matt Short played really well against England. However, there are still some question marks around his game against spin. Afghanistan have quality spinners in their lineup, so it’ll be interesting to see how Short goes.
  • Steve Smith is searching for his best form in ODIs. He is averaging just 33 in this format since the start of 2023. But, given his prowess, especially in big games, Smith can be a safe pick in Dream11.
  • Rahmat Shah struck a nice 90 against South Africa earlier in this tournament. He can provide Afghanistan with stability in the middle.
  • Ben Dwarshuis will bowl in the crunch overs. His left-arm angle offers a point of difference and has good changes of pace which can work nicely at Lahore.

Other Stats and Matchups

  • Head-to-head: Matches 4, Australia 4, Afghanistan 0.
  • Mohammad Nabi has figures of 1/16 off 18 balls against Glenn Maxwell in ODIs.
  • Glenn Maxwell has faced 39 balls in international cricket against Rashid Khan without dismissal (51 runs).
  • Ibrahim Zadran can go big if he gets through the powerplay. He has scored 27 off 29 against Adam Zampa without dismissal in ODIs.

CT 2025 10th Match: AFG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Lahore Pitch Report for the 10th match of CT 2025 between Afghanistan & Australia.
CT 2025 10th Match: AFG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Lahore Pitch Report for the 10th match of CT 2025 between Afghanistan & Australia.
CT 2025 10th Match: AFG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 10th Match: AFG vs AUS Match Prediction – Who will win?

This has the makings of a cracking clash. On a flat pitch, Australia may just have enough in their batting to get over the line and qualify for the semi-finals.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

AFG vs ENG Twitter reactions: England slammed after elimination from the 2025 Champions Trophy

Charbel Coorey
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0
AFG vs ENG Twitter reactions: England slammed after elimination from the 2025 Champions Trophy

AFG vs ENG Reactions: England’s horrid 2025 has continued, with Jos Buttler’s team eliminated from the Champions Trophy after losing their opening two matches. The eight-run defeat to Afghanistan confirmed their exit, and marked their ninth loss in ten matches across formats this year.

This isn’t a surprise. Despite possessing a talented team on paper, England lack the know-how to get across the line in ODIs. The loss to Afghanistan was their 18th in 25 matches since the start of the 2023 World Cup, with this loss set up by the decision play a thin bowling attack.

Mark Wood came into the game with a heavily bandaged knee, but England risked him. Worse, they selected all-rounder Jamie Overton to replace specialist bowler Brydon Carse. England’s bowling lacked depth when they failed to defend 351 against Australia, and it was on show again as the Afghans recovered from 37/3 to take England apart at the death, smashing 113 runs in the final ten overs to finish with 325/7.

England were run ragged. You got the feeling that even on a flat Lahore pitch, England will make tough work of the chase given the momentum Afghanistan finished with and how England struggle under pressure.

In the chase, Joe Root stood out like a sore thumb as he brought up his 17th ODI ton. He manoeuvred spin beautifully as no one else managed to cross 40. Despite regular wickets falling, Root helped take his team to 287/6 with 39 needed off 26 balls. While his dismissal was a huge blow, England still had a great chance to win with Jamie Overton at the crease. However, he couldn’t finish the job.

It’s difficult to see how Jos Buttler can continue as captain from here. “Obviously I don’t enjoy lsing games of cricket and the results,” he said, speaking to Sky Sports. “‘Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?’ I think that’s what I’ve got to work out.”

AFG vs ENG Reactions: England criticised for underachieving yet again

Both England and rival fans shared their thoughts on the issues plaguing the team. One big talking point is the onset of The Hundred as a key reason why England’s 50-over game has taken a nosedive. Also, other fans have criticised Brendan McCullum as coach and England’s poor mentality.

For Afghanistan, this is another wonderful moment. They will qualify for the semi-finals if they beat Australia. Ibrahim Zadran was outstanding for his 177, lifting Afghanistan up from a very difficult position early on. Then, Azmatullah Omarzai’s stunning all-round display, including the key wickets of Buttler and Root, helped seal a famous win.

Here are some of the reactions to England’s elimination.

England’s final game in this Champions Trophy will be against South Africa on the 1st of March in Karachi.

PAK vs BAN Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 9th Match

Robin Rounder
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PAK vs BAN Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 9th Match

The 9th match will be the first dead rubber of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Both sides lost their respective games against New Zealand and India and are out of the semi-finals race. This match will be played at Rawalpindi where the last game was washed out and there’s a rain threat in this game as well.

Pakistan lost their first game against New Zealand by 60 runs, followed by a six-wicket defeat against India. The Pakistan batters have been abysmal in the first two games and that’s the main reason for their poor performance. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Tayyab Tahir have failed miserably in this tournament.

Saud Shakeel scored a fifty against India but he was in poor form before that. Their bowlers, especially the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, have been ineffective with the ball. Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha have been the in-form players for them.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, lost their first game against India by six wickets followed by a five-wicket defeat against the Kiwis. Their batters have also failed to get going this tournament but their bowlers have been quite better than their Pakistani counterparts.

Taskin Ahmed, Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain have done well for them. They need consistency with the bat if they are to win this game. The senior batters in Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah will have to step up and take responsibility in this match.

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have struggled with the bat but Pakistan’s bowling has been below average as well. It should be a good game of cricket as both sides will be eyeing a win to end their campaign.

CT 2025 9th Match: PAK vs BAN Probable Playing XIs

Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Kamran Ghulam may feature in the XI for this game.

Pakistan: 1. Usman Khan, 2. Babar Azam, 3. Saud Shakeel, 4. Kamran Ghulam, 5. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 6. Salman Agha, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Faheem Ashraf/Naseem Shah, 9. Shaheen Afridi, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

Bangladesh may also give a chance to their bench in this match.

Bangladesh: 1. Tanzid Hasan/Parvez Hossain Emon, 2. Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), 3. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 4. Towhid Hridoy, 5. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Jaker Ali, 8. Rishad Hossain, 9. Taskin Ahmed, 10. Nahid Rana, Mustafizur 11. Rahman/Nasum Ahmed

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

The pitch looked like a good one for batting in the first game at Rawalpindi between Bangladesh and New Zealand. The batters can play their shots trusting the wicket and there was assistance for the spinners as well. The pacers got good movement with the new ball in the second innings. It should be a good wicket to bat on in this match.

Rain is on the forecast during the match time and we may see a rain-interrupted game if not another washed-out match.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs BAN: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:

  • Mohammad Rizwan scored 46 runs in the last game. He hasn’t been in the best of form, but he will keep wickets and be a key batter for his side in the middle order. He averages 57.70 against Bangladesh for his 173 runs in five innings, including two fifties.
  • Jaker Ali has scores of 45 and 68 in the last two matches. He’s been the in-form player for his side in the lower order. He likes to bat aggressively and has been in good form as well. 

Key batter picks:

  • Babar Azam looked in decent touch in the last game against India. He played a couple of good shots. He is searching for runs and will be eager to do well in this game. Babar against Bangladesh: 123 runs in four ODIs at an average of 30.80 including a fifty.
  • Saud Shakeel scored 62 runs against India. He will bat in the top three and looked in decent touch in the last match.
  • Najmul Hossain Shanto will be a key batter for his team. He scored 77 runs in the last game against New Zealand. Shanto likes to take his time initially and then capitalise on the start.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Rishad Hossain has 44 runs and three wickets in two matches so far. He will be the lead spinner for Bangladesh and he’s handy with the bat as well. Rishad can trouble Pakistan’s middle order. 
  • Khushdil Shah scored 69 runs in the first game against the Kiwis followed by 38 runs and a wicket against India. He’s one of the in-form players for Pakistan and will be a must in your fantasy teams.

Key bowler picks:

  • Shaheen Afridi has 12 wickets against Bangladesh in four ODIs including a 5-fer. He can trouble Bangladesh’s top order initially with the new ball. Shaheen picked up two wickets in the last game. Try him as C/VC while bowling first.
  • Haris Rauf has six wickets in just two matches against Bangladesh. He will be an important bowler for his side in the middle and death phases. Rauf will be a top fantasy pick.
  • Naseem Shah has picked up three wickets in his only ODI against Bangladesh. He swings the new ball both ways and can pick up 2-3 wickets easily on his day.
  • Taskin Ahmed picked up a wicket in the last game. He was excellent with the new ball. Taskin can trouble Pakistan’s struggling top order, especially while bowling second under the lights.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team

  • Agha Salman is in good form lately but he’ll bat too low from fantasy POV. He may bowl an over or two of his off-spin. He scored 42 runs in the first game and 19 in the last one.
  • Abrar Ahmed picked up a wicket in the last match. He can trouble Bangladesh’s out-of-form middle-order with his variations. Abrar has two wickets in two games so far in the tournament. 

Other Matchups and Facts

  • Head to Head (ODIs): Pakistan (34), Bangladesh (5) 
  • Nahid Rana has dismissed Babar Azam twice in 24 deliveries for 13 runs in Test cricket. He can trouble him in this game as well.
  • Mohammad Rizwan needs 28 runs to complete 2600 runs in ODI cricket.

CT 2025 9th Match: PAK vs BAN Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Rawalpindi Pitch Report for the 9th match of CT 2025 between Pakistan & Bangladesh.
CT 2025 9th Match: PAK vs BAN Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Rawalpindi Pitch Report for the 9th match of CT 2025 between Pakistan & Bangladesh.
CT 2025 9th Match: PAK vs BAN Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 9th Match: PAK vs BAN Match Prediction: Who will win?

Both teams have failed to get going with the bat in the tournament so far. Bangladesh’s bowling, especially the pace attack looks in good form compared to Pakistan. Despite that, Pakistan is expected to win this game but it’s not going to be an easy task at all.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Do India really have “home advantage” in Dubai for the Champions Trophy?

Charbel Coorey
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0
Do India really have “home advantage” in Dubai for the Champions Trophy?

India playing their Champions Trophy games in Dubai has been a hot topic of conversation for months on end, including within the tournament itself. Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton believe India have an undeniable advantage playing at the same ground, as they are able to get used to conditions without having to travel to different grounds.

However, Hussain, as well as many other pundits and fans, believe India have home advantage. “I saw a tweet the other day: Pakistan – host nation, India – home advantage. That sort of sums it up, really,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.

Tim Wigmore echoed those thoughts further in his piece for The Telegraph. Wigmore also questioned why India always get the final game of the group stage, with “concerns about the integrity of the [ICC] tournaments” as India “would know exactly what they needed to do to qualify” should net run rate come into play.

India in Dubai: Does it make them unbeatable?

India do have the advantage of knowing and understanding the conditions. They would have played three games at the venue compared to none (plus the travel) for their semi-final opponent. Also, it is a fair argument to say India have picked a squad suited perfectly for one location. This advantage could have been reduced with one game in Abu Dhabi, for example, but India would have been in the semi-final regardless as Bangladesh and Pakistan are no match.

However, the talk of Dubai as home advantage is strange. The pitches so far in Dubai are quite different to what we see for ODIs in India, with truer batting surfaces a common sight throughout the country.

Ask any India batter where they’d rather be batting and I’d imagine each of them would say Lahore or Rawalpindi over Dubai. The surfaces have been prestine for batting in Pakistan, in contrast to Dubai which have been sluggish in nature.

The timing of such comments in the media comes as a surprise. To paint the result in the India-Pakistan game as some sort of injustice because it was played in Dubai is as ridiculous as it is wrong. India-Pakistan showdowns, either in ICC or Asia Cups, have largely gone one way over the past decade. It would have been an even easier win for India on a flat Lahore, Rawalpindi or Karachi pitch given the difference in mentality and quality between the two batting lineups.

Debates are still rife about India playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. Does it give them home ground advantage?
India were far too good for Pakistan in Dubai.

In such a situation, mentality is so important. As an opponent, you can either tackle the challenge head on or choose to make an excuse. Teams with belief can exploit such conditions and cause India problems. Sluggish pitches that offer some spin and reward cutters can bring the two teams closer together, aiding bowling lineups to keep the Indian side more quiet than they likely would on a flat pitch.

The 2023 ODI World Cup Final is the most obvious example. Many fans and pundits wrote Australia off at the thought of a slow pitch, while some accused India of “rigging” the tournament. Michael Vaughan, before the semi-final of that tournament, said only fresh pitches should be used.

However, Pat Cummins’ side utilised the conditions magnificently to keep India in check. They conceded only a handful of boundaries and chased India’s 240 with consumate ease to lift their sixth World Cup. Following the match, India fans everywhere criticised the surface.

Debates are still rife about India playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. Does it give them home ground advantage?
The slow Dubai track can bring the two teams closer together.

This is not to say such an occurrence will happen again in this Champions Trophy. But, a team who plans well and has the resources can cause India headaches in tricky conditions. For example, if India face Australia in the semi-final, the likes of Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshuis would be more difficult to handle on a Dubai track than Lahore with their cutters and slower balls into the pitch. The likes of Matt Short, Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head would be more threatening with deliveries holding in the surface, as opposed to a flat track where they would be fighting to bowl a single dot.

Of course, India have the bowlers – particularly spinners – to make life all the more challenging, but opponents with a positive mentality can go to the UAE with the belief they can win. Also, the likes of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa possess good players of spin in their lineups.

Yes, it would have been great to see India play in Pakistan and have the tournament in one country. Geo-political factors make these situations very complicated. However, from a cricketing perspective, I believe India would have been nailed on to win the tournament in Pakistani conditions. In Dubai, the opponents have more of a chance, and we Australians have witnessed how such conditions can work against India.

Time will tell what impact the sluggish surfaces of Dubai will have on the business end of the tournament. India are undoubtedly the favourites, but there are teams in this competition who will give it a red-hot crack. Let’s see what transpires.

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