What can you do in Dubai with just 18 hours? Maybe visit a shopping mall, or another one, and perhaps get stuck in traffic between them. Some might see Dubai as just a collection of malls with traffic jams.
However, South Africa’s Champions Trophy team had a different perspective on Sunday, likely because they had been confined to hotels in Pakistan for three weeks due to security measures.
The South African team flew from Karachi to Dubai after defeating England on Saturday. This was to prepare for a potential semifinal match against India in Dubai on Tuesday.
But, India’s victory over New Zealand in Dubai meant South Africa would instead play against New Zealand in Lahore on Wednesday. So, the South Africans returned to Pakistan on Monday, after spending about 18 hours in Dubai.
Australia also made a similar early trip to Dubai, which turned out to be useful as they will now play India there on Tuesday.
Heinrich Klaasen mentioned at a press conference on Monday that they knew there was a high chance of this quick travel. He admitted it’s not ideal physically, but they appreciated the chance to get out, walk around, and relax. He added they were aware that some teams would have to make such trips as part of the schedule.
Klaasen wasn’t complaining. He pointed out that they haven’t traveled much in the tournament so far. He described the 18 hours as a bit crazy, but noted that teams playing in Lahore also had to travel for six hours after a game.
He believes their team might be in better condition than New Zealand because they had time to rest and recover during their Dubai stopover.
This back-and-forth travel was necessary because India is based in Dubai for the tournament due to security concerns and political issues related to playing in Pakistan. Also, the strong influence of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) plays a role.
India’s special situation influenced the structure of group A, making them central, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand around them. Group B, including Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa, had a more balanced setup, playing matches in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
This arrangement has been seen by some as giving unfair advantages to India, who haven’t had to travel, change hotels, or adapt to different conditions since arriving in Dubai.
Some players like Pat Cummins, Aaqib Javed, and Rassie van der Dussen have criticized India’s privileged position. But Klaasen didn’t see it that way, saying that the short Dubai trip was a good break and a change of scenery for his team.
Some South African players played night golf during their Dubai visit. Others likely went to shopping malls and experienced the traffic. They didn’t focus on watching the Sunday match that would decide their next destination.
Klaasen mentioned that they didn’t spend their 18 hours watching cricket, though some coaches did. He emphasized that to win the tournament, they need to beat two strong teams, regardless of the location.
He added that whether they face New Zealand and then India in Dubai, or New Zealand and then Australia in Lahore, they still have to play excellent cricket to win. The location doesn’t change the need to perform well.
Ultimately, reaching and winning a major cricket final requires consistent high performance, not just for 18 hours.
