Islamabad, Mar 12 2025: Andy Roberts has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allegedly favoring India in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The marquee tournament, initially set to be hosted by Pakistan, was conducted under a hybrid model, with all of the matches featuring India played in Dubai.
This arrangement was approved in an ICC board meeting as part of the 2024-2027 cycle policy, which mandates shifting any India-Pakistan fixtures to a neutral venue.
In a recent interview, Roberts alleged that the ICC provided India an unfair advantage, not only in the Champions Trophy but also in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The former west Indian cricketer claimed the Rohit Sharma-led side was pre-informed about their semi-final venue against England in Guyana.
The legendary cricketer questioned how the Men in Blue managed to avoid traveling between matches, while other teams had to adjust to different conditions.
The former pacer also argued that the Indian cricket authority holds excessive influence over the ICC, shaping major decisions in global cricket.
Former England captain Michael Atherton recently echoed similar concerns, stating that playing solely in Dubai gave India an undeniable advantage.
Notably, India won the Champions Trophy 2025 title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai. This marked their third title, having previously triumphed in 2002 and 2013.
