Shami admits playing at one venue ‘definitely helps’ finalists India

AFP | Dubai

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India pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has broken ranks by admitting that playing all their Champions Trophy games at one venue in Dubai has been to their advantage.

Shami returned figures of 3-48 to set up India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Dubai.

India coach Gautam Gambhir afterwards lashed out at critics who have said playing at the same Dubai International Cricket Stadium each time is unfair.

India refused to travel to Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan over political tensions and have won all four of their games at their temporary home.

They will face South Africa or New Zealand in Sunday’s final, again in Dubai.

The other seven teams in the ODI competition have meanwhile had to shuttle between three Pakistani cities and the United Arab Emirates.

“It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch,” Shami said Tuesday after his pivotal role in beating Australia.

“It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue.”

As part of the hybrid arrangement of the tournament, South Africa were forced to travel to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan.