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Another ICC tournament, another controversy. This time, it’s all about scheduling of the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Former England cricketer and popular commentator David Lloyd didn’t hold back, calling the entire setup “farcical” and “embarrassing.” And honestly, he’s got a point.

A Travel Nightmare for South Africa

Imagine preparing for a crucial semifinal, only to be thrown into a chaotic travel mess just before the big game. That’s exactly what happened to South Africa. With the venues finalized less than 48 hours before the match, the Proteas had to fly from Dubai to Lahore and then back again.

David Lloyd, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, called out the ICC in a fiery video on social media. “It’s really embarrassing that this is one of the most important events in world cricket, and the arrangements for playing are farcical,” he said.

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Teams Left in Limbo

The scheduling confusion didn’t just affect South Africa. Both Australia and the Proteas were left in the dark, waiting for India’s match against New Zealand to decide their next move.

It meant they had to travel to Dubai, unsure of where they’d be playing next. For a tournament of this magnitude, that’s just unacceptable. On top of that, Dubai hosted two major games in just three days, further fueling concerns about poor planning.

Lloyd, clearly frustrated, slammed the ICC’s approach, saying, “You have teams who go from here to there; you might play here, you might not, you might have to go back.”

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India’s Advantage?

David Lloyd also hinted at what many fans have been whispering—was the scheduling favoring India? With Dubai as their home base, India had the luxury of playing in a consistent environment throughout the tournament. They made the most of it, beating Australia in the semifinal before marching into the final.

“The fact that you have two games in three days in Dubai… it’s just not right,” Lloyd concluded. And honestly, he’s not alone in thinking that.

This isn’t the first time ICC tournaments have faced criticism for poor scheduling, and it probably won’t be the last. But when a legendary figure like David Lloyd calls it “laughable,” it’s time for cricket’s governing body to take a hard look at its planning process.

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