There were no surprises on Sunday night, since India stamped her authority over the worldwide cricket once again, raising the Champions Trophy crown by beating a New Zealand team that never seemed to threaten the dominance of possibly the best team in the world.
But as Rohit Sharma’s men delighted in his victory, wearing the iconic white jackets, there was little or no indication that this tournament had been lodged and played, for the most part, in Pakistan.
The ‘hybrid’ commitment that saw India play all his games in Dubai had already damping the expectations of the crowds in Pakistan, who have been hungry for the return of the International Cricket since that fateful day in Lahore in 2009.
But one would have hoped that the hosts had a final ferret: the closing moments and the presentation ceremony offered the opportunity to remind the world that it was Pakistan who did all the hard work to organize the Champions Trophy 2025.
Instead, the final in Dubai was a virtual game at home for Sharma and his men. The crowd was a sea of blue, part -time entertainment, all Bollywood, and from Roger Binny to Jay Shah, all faces in the presentation ceremony were Indies.
The Chief of the Cricket Board of Pakistan (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, was visible for his absence of the occasion. On the other hand, the president of BCCI, Binny, presented jackets to the Indian players.
Even the director of the Sumair Ahmed Syed tournament was not on stage for the presentation ceremony, which causes a complete family issue for the Indian team.
But that was to be expected, given the large amount of sport policy over the triumph of India.
India remains the greatest financial sport and her wait about the ICC is unwavering.
As such, the global body had to accept its demands to move away their matches of Pakistan, including the final, if it were to qualify.
The hybrid disposition in Dubai Neutral after India refused to cross the border, combined with inept actions of the host team led by Mohammad Rizwan, meant that Pakistan never had the opportunity to leave a mark in his own tournament.
It may have been poetic justice if New Zealand, which spoiled the Pakistan party by defeating them in the group stages, would have won the final.
Most of the Pakistani had been supporting them, anyway, but the question is whether they even had an opportunity against the side that had turned the Dubai International Cricket Stadium into their “home away from home.”
The single place advantage, which the Indian team has done everything possible to minimize, has been indicated by experts of all persuasion.
At another time, another place, such a state of affairs during an international tournament may have been called “No Cricket.” But with its monopoly on the ICC and the observation of the eyeballs, nothing can prevent India from getting yours in terms of Cricket.
But there was a kind of silver alignment for the host nation. If India had played and triumphed on Pakistani soil, it could well have been the case that Rohit Sharma had received the trophy from the prime minister or the president of his archirival. That would have been a much more painful memory, passing beyond the scope of Cricket and with possible political connotations.
For now, at least, they are protected by the criticisms that are leveling in India by practically engineering of a tournament that could easily win.
The hybrid agreement is also expected to request Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup next year, which will be organized by India and Sri Lanka. It has already been decided that any match that involves green shirts will be played in Sri Lanka.
But the boys will face a difficult task if they are going to avenge the acquisition of their Champions Trophy of India.
Following its shameful performance in this tournament, team management has started a shaking of the team. But only time will say if Pakistan can spoil the party of India in a year.
Posted in Dawn, March 10, 2025
