‘Some teams win by scheduling’: Ex-Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan slams India ahead of Champions Trophy final | Cricket News

India gamers through the nationwide anthem (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan has stirred controversy ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy final by accusing India of benefiting from a beneficial scheduling.
Taking to X, Junaid on Saturday identified the numerous journey distances for teams within the match, contrasting them with India’s stationary marketing campaign in Dubai.
“Distance traveled between matches in Champions Trophy 2025:
New Zealand: 7,150 KM
South Africa: 3,286 KM
India: 0 KM
Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling…,” Junaid posted, implying that India’s lack of journey supplied them with an unfair benefit.

Earlier, India head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed these allegations, calling them baseless.
Speaking after India’s four-wicket win over Australia within the semifinals, Gambhir retorted, “What undue advantage? We practice at ICC Academy, where conditions are different from the stadium. Some people are perpetual cribbers; they need to grow up.”
Despite the noise surrounding their schedule, India stay centered on the duty ahead. The Rohit Sharma-led aspect has dominated the match with an unbeaten run, topping Group A with convincing wins over Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand earlier than securing a vital semifinal victory in opposition to Australia.

Their final opponents, New Zealand, have had a blended marketing campaign. They triumphed over Pakistan and Bangladesh within the group stage earlier than falling to India. In the semifinals, the Black Caps delivered a commanding 50-run win over South Africa to earn their place within the title conflict.
History favours New Zealand in ICC knockout matches in opposition to India, holding a 3-1 head-to-head file. This contains their victories within the 2000 Champions Trophy final, the 2019 and 2023 World Cup semifinals, and the 2021 World Test Championship final. India’s lone win got here within the 2023 World Cup semifinal.