David Miller slams ICC over scheduling row after tight turnaround in Dubai, backs NZ to defeat India

Due to the peculiar scheduling of the Champions Trophy, South Africa and Australia found themselves traveling to Dubai from Pakistan after finishing their group matches in order to prepare for a potential semifinal against India. However, India's victory over New Zealand in their final Group A game meant that they would face off against Australia in the semifinals, forcing the Proteas to make a quick return to Pakistan for their own semifinal match. The reason for this complicated logistics was India's decision to not travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to political and security concerns. As a result, the ICC decided to host all of India's matches in Dubai, causing extra travel for the other teams involved.

"It's only an hour and 40 minute flight, but the fact that we had to do that was not ideal," Miller said after South Africa lost to New Zealand on Wednesday by 50 runs. "It's early morning, it's after a game and we had to fly. Then we got to Dubai at 4:00 pm. And at 7.30 am we had to come back. It doesn't make it nice. It's not like we flew five hours, and we had enough time to recover and recuperate, but it was not an ideal situation still."

Miller smashed a 67-ball 100 not out in a lost cause as South Africa went down to New Zealand, who will face India in Sunday's final in Dubai.

The Black Caps scored the highest-ever Champions Trophy total of 362-6 on the back of sparkling centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson.

Miller backs New Zealand to beat India

Although India have emerged as the overwhelming favourite in the final after scripting an unbeaten run in the tournament, Miller admitted he will back the Kiwis to pull off a stunner on Sunday.

Miller predicted a "great" final, adding: "I'll be honest with you, I think I'll be supporting New Zealand."

ICC Champions Trophy , ICC Champions Trophy Schedule , and Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, match previews, and in-depth coverage of ICC CT 2025, IPL 2025 Schedule and IPL 2025, all on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news along with India vs New Zealand Live Score. .freemium-card h4{color:#fff; padding-bottom:20px;} .freemium-card .freemium-content .subcTxt{padding-bottom:16px; color:#fff;} .freemium-card .freemium-content{width: auto; max-width: inherit;} .freemium-card .freemium-content .subcTxt{max-width:inherit; font-size:18px; padding-top:0; line-height:24px} .freemium-card .btnSubc{margin} .freemium-card .btnSubc a{background:#000; color:#fff; min-width:auto; padding:5px 15px; border-radius:6px; font-size:16px; line-height:22px; font-weight:700;} .freemium-card{height:285px} @media (max-width: 767px) { .freemium-card h4{font-size:28px} .freemium-card .freemium-content{max-width:360px; padding: 20px;} .freemium-card{height:303px; background-position: 100% 0; } }