ICC Champions Trophy Final: Can travel fatigue swing the match?

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has witnessed teams travelling extensively between Pakistan and UAE venues. While India’s fixtures were confined to Dubai, which triggered debates about an unfair advantage, travel distances for other teams were significant. However, no official objections were raised before the tournament. Notably, players regularly travel long distances during franchise leagues like the IPL without complaint.

Team India, having played all their matches in Dubai, recorded the least travel distance of zero kilometres(KM). England, who played all their group-stage matches in Pakistan before being eliminated, travelled approximately 1,020 km. Pakistan covered about 3,133 km, playing their games in Karachi, Dubai, and Rawalpindi. Afghanistan’s journey began with their first match in Karachi and the rest in Lahore, covering around 1,200 km.

Bangladesh started in Dubai against India before heading to Rawalpindi for their next two games, covering about 1,953 km. Australia also travelled extensively, beginning in Lahore, moving to Rawalpindi, back to Lahore, and finally to Dubai for the semis, summing up to roughly 2,509 km.

South Africa played four matches but boarded five flights, travelling between Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Dubai before heading back to Lahore for their semifinal against New Zealand. Their total travel distance was approximately 3,286 km. Meanwhile, New Zealand had the longest journey, travelling 7,048 km. Their matches were spread across Karachi, Rawalpindi, Dubai, and Lahore before they returned to Dubai for the final against India.

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