Why did ICC opt for turning wickets in Dubai but flat wickets in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

[RidiculousMan]

Champions Trophy 2025 is about to end. We have seen all group matches play out. The matches in Lahore and Karachi we saw had good batting wickets overall. Pretty much you could say that you needed a minimum of 300 runs to compete. In Dubai even 260 is competitive

But why is it that in Dubai the pitches are made completely different? They are very supportive to spinners.

I understand that each country has its own weather and soil nature but you can still as a curator opt to make pitches of certain kind. There will be slight variation but flat pitches around the world will be flat and you'll see totals close to 300.

Pakistani pitches can also be made turners. It's not like curators had no control over it. Though ICC opted for flat wickets for this tournament.

Why then the contrasting difference in direction of pitches in Pakistan and Dubai (UAE)? When we know matches are being played for a single tournament only.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Champions Trophy 2025 is about to end. We have seen all group matches play out. The matches in Lahore and Karachi we saw had good batting wickets overall. Pretty much you could say that you needed a minimum of 300 runs to compete. In Dubai even 260 is competitive

But why is it that in Dubai the pitches are made completely different? They are very supportive to spinners.

I understand that each country has its own weather and soil nature but you can still as a curator opt to make pitches of certain kind. There will be slight variation but flat pitches around the world will be flat and you'll see totals close to 300.

Pakistani pitches can also be made turners. It's not like curators had no control over it. Though ICC opted for flat wickets for this tournament.

Why then the contrasting difference in direction of pitches in Pakistan and Dubai (UAE)? When we know matches are being played for a single tournament only.

Well dubai pitch always support spinners remember misbah day in uae it always used to spin

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Pitches in Dubai have always been spin friendly.

 

[Local.Dada]

ICC doesn’t have a set standard of wickets for ICC tournaments.

The idea is to have competitive wickets as per the given conditions of the region. As long as it is not a spinning minefield or a green top, it is good to go.

These are 250-290 pitches and they retain that throughout the game. That makes for great cricket instead of 400+ run fests or total one sided games.

Kudos to ICC and also salute to Indian team
to play on good competitive wickets instead of total absolute 400+ pattas where their superior batting line up can absolutely blast the opposition out of submission. Kudos BCCI, ICC and Indian team.

 

[saimayubera]

karachi was sluggish though.

 

[Devadwal]

Op first need to Read the history of Dubai cricket Ground and Pakistan cricket ground .

 

[sweep_shot]

Turner suits India while flat doesn't suit Pakistan.

ICC is BCCICC after all.

 

[Jazx]

Champions Trophy 2025 is about to end. We have seen all group matches play out. The matches in Lahore and Karachi we saw had good batting wickets overall. Pretty much you could say that you needed a minimum of 300 runs to compete. In Dubai even 260 is competitive

But why is it that in Dubai the pitches are made completely different? They are very supportive to spinners.

I understand that each country has its own weather and soil nature but you can still as a curator opt to make pitches of certain kind. There will be slight variation but flat pitches around the world will be flat and you'll see totals close to 300.

Pakistani pitches can also be made turners. It's not like curators had no control over it. Though ICC opted for flat wickets for this tournament.

Why then the contrasting difference in direction of pitches in Pakistan and Dubai (UAE)? When we know matches are being played for a single tournament only.

But there some Geniuses in this forum who thinks that in pakistani conditions its an herculean ask to prepare spin freindly wicktes.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Dubai pitch is historically known for its pace and bounce but it’s unfortunate that ICC sold its soul to BCCI for money and instead changed the nature of Dubai pitches to slow and spin friendly.

 

[Local.Dada]

Except for Pakistan match both Bangladesh and Nzl game have been thrillers or
Potential thrillers. The washouts have been a let down so good to see the Dubai pitches.

 

[Shafikapeo]

Well it seems like I am watching 90's cricket

 

[jnaveen1980]

There is no dew that is why.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Dubai pitch is historically known for its pace and bounce but it’s unfortunate that ICC sold its soul to BCCI for money and instead changed the nature of Dubai pitches to slow and spin friendly.

yup next only to WACA, Newlands, old Sabina park

 

[G0rmintAunty]

ICC didn't "prepare" the Dubai pitches. Nasser Hussain in the first match said that he had a chat with the curator and these are the same ghissi pitti pitches that were used in the IL20. No wonder India took 5 spinners with them. Someone in the match thread that India were leaked the exam papers as a boast but they were right.

 

[MP2011]

Is there no end to this sook about pitches?

 

[FearlessRoar]

BCCI plays so much politics, it's hard to figure out where to catch them.

 

[jnaveen1980]

These are the type of pitches that often buries India. India's best bet is patta wicket.

 

[hafizexpress]

It's India's tournament to lose now. None of these remaining SENA teams can handle 4 Indian spinners in Dubai. India making Dubai their home fortress in this tournament was their ticket to the trophy

 

[Rana]

Because you would have to drop one of the 3 untouchable seamers.

Who would the captain and coach make sit out?

 

[cricketjoshila]

ICC should have imported drop in pitches from Lahore Karachi and Rawalpindi and used them for the 5 matches.

 

[MP2011]

ICC should have imported drop in pitches from Lahore Karachi and Rawalpindi and used them for the 5 matches.

These guys would have still found their voice to sook about pitches.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Turner suits India while flat doesn't suit Pakistan.

ICC is BCCICC after all.

ShERLOCK HOLMES

 

[jnaveen1980]

These guys would have still found their voice to sook about pitches.

Do Brazil and Argentina fans care if a fan from let us say Bangladesh has an opinion about their football. No. That is how you should treat these trolls.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Do Brazil and Argentina fans care if a fan from let us say Bangladesh has an opinion about their football. No. That is how you should treat these trolls.

There is only one sweeper here..

 

[jnaveen1980]

There is only one sweeper here..

If you respond to these trolls they think you take them seriously.

 

[Ahmed216]

Money makes the world go round.

 

[Suleiman]

The game is rigged for India. Boycott cricket until India is removed from the sport and then come back to it. Let India play its intrepid premier league amongst itself, cricket doesn’t need India. India needs cricket

 

[Vikram1989]

ShERLOCK HOLMES

After that comparison Holmes must have committed suicide

 

[Bhaijaan]

The game is rigged for India. Boycott cricket until India is removed from the sport and then come back to it. Let India play its intrepid premier league amongst itself, cricket doesn’t need India. India needs cricket

You can do all the rigging in the world but if your team isn’t good it doesn’t work.

You guys made a green top against Bangladesh and got destroyed by their young fast bowler. Then you made spinning cobra pits and got beaten by West Indies. How did rigging work for you?

Even we in Bharat were stupid enough to lay a poor pitch in the World Cup final in 2023 and paid the biggest price for it.

Talent beats rigging

Bharat is not the villain.
You guys are all incompetent. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies etc, corruption ruined your cricket, not BCCI.

 

[Hitman]

The game is rigged for India. Boycott cricket until India is removed from the sport and then come back to it. Let India play its intrepid premier league amongst itself, cricket doesn’t need India. India needs cricket

This is the same poster who was claiming a few days ago how 'great' Inzamam was in big matches and tournaments throughout his career, untill I posted facts and numbers

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

The game is rigged for India. Boycott cricket until India is removed from the sport and then come back to it. Let India play its intrepid premier league amongst itself, cricket doesn’t need India. India needs cricket

No one is forcing Pakistan to play in the framework in which India dominates. Please go ahead and form your India-free cricket Council.

 

[TheRock]

Dubai never used to produce flat pitch. Nor a rank turner by any means. It's always been a slower sluggish wicket. NZ batters struggled to properly time even a mediocre pacer like Pandya. That says it all. Quality spinners will always be handy. It's Sharjah which always used to be flat patta. I think the OP is confusing sharjah with dubai.

 

[saimayubera]

The game is rigged for India. Boycott cricket until India is removed from the sport and then come back to it. Let India play its intrepid premier league amongst itself, cricket doesn’t need India. India needs cricket

Actually cricket doesn't need Pakistan and Pakistan is being removed from it anyway.

Doesn't play IPL. Not selected for the IPL owned leagues.

In 15 years, there will be a 5 month IPL and all other leagues will be owned by Indian companies. Pakistani players won't be allowed in either.

Pakistan then can enjoy playing it's Paisa Shortage League.

 

[BouncerGuy]

PLEASE TAKE YOUR POLITICAL CONFLICT TO SOME OTHER THREAD.

THIS THREAD IS ABOUT CRICKET.

 

[Suleiman]

This is the same poster who was claiming a few days ago how 'great' Inzamam was in big matches and tournaments throughout his career, untill I posted facts and numbers

Inzi is greater than Sachin. I know you’re in your feeling when it comes to Sachin, but it is what it is.

 

[jnaveen1980]

UAE wickets are not ideal. One thing i am happy about it though is , so far atleast so far dew doesn't tilt the balance. Relatively dew free which allows team that field second to have equal purchase from the surface.

 

[mominsaigol]

Inzi is greater than Sachin. I know you’re in your feeling when it comes to Sachin, but it is what it is.

No he isn't. He isn't even close?

Sachin is not the God of cricket that people believe him to be as Bradman is the only player to be heads and shoulders > everyone in his era

However Sachin is in the class of Viv, Pointing, Lara and Kohli as odi batters and in the class of Steve Smith, garfield Sobers, len Hutton, jack hobbs etc etc as test batters.

He may not be the God of cricket like bradman but he's easily top 5 of all time in tests and odi.

Inzimam isn't anywhere close to that.

As for the whole inzi was more clutch then Tenda, that was because he played in the middle order and was able to finish more games since in the one ball era, it wasn't easy to bat from overs 1 to 50.

A middle order or lower order batter like Bevan looks alot better then someone like Ricky Pointing solely due to the position at which he bats and is able to get more wins.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Dubai pitch is always slow and has never been considered a batting paradise.
Flatter during the Sharjah Cup days.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Dubai pitch is always slow and has never been considered a batting paradise.
Flatter during the Sharjah Cup days.

So better to pick all spinners in fantasy.

 

[Suleiman]

No he isn't. He isn't even close?

Sachin is not the God of cricket that people believe him to be as Bradman is the only player to be heads and shoulders > everyone in his era

However Sachin is in the class of Viv, Pointing, Lara and Kohli as odi batters and in the class of Steve Smith, garfield Sobers, len Hutton, jack hobbs etc etc as test batters.

He may not be the God of cricket like bradman but he's easily top 5 of all time in tests and odi.

Inzimam isn't anywhere close to that.

As for the whole inzi was more clutch then Tenda, that was because he played in the middle order and was able to finish more games since in the one ball era, it wasn't easy to bat from overs 1 to 50.

A middle order or lower order batter like Bevan looks alot better then someone like Ricky Pointing solely due to the position at which he bats and is able to get more wins.

Sachin is barely top 10 from Asia.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Because ICC is nothing but BCCI these days

 

[shaz619]

Because the BCCI came to the ICC like this:

 

[Bhaijaan]

Inzi is greater than Sachin. I know you’re in your feeling when it comes to Sachin, but it is what it is.

That we can agree on.
Inzi bhai was a natural against high quality pace bowling whereas Sachin paaji’s legs used to shake while facing them. If he had the abilities of Inzi bhai he would have scored a lot of runs. When you talk about Inzi bhai his test centuries at WACA, Newlands etc come to mind immediately. On the other hand all Sachin paaaji did was toy around with Tapash Baisya.

 

[Local.Dada]

Sachin is barely top 10 from Asia.

Bro just FYI, these kind of statements used to trigger us 15-20 yrs back. You will find more cricket related things to trigger us or
Troll us if you try harder: Sachin himself is beyond these numbers now and is enjoying cooking mutton curry and plucking mangoes in his free time.

 

[Hitman]

Inzi is greater than Sachin. I know you’re in your feeling when it comes to Sachin, but it is what it is.

At wrestling? Yes, he is.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Turner suits India while flat doesn't suit Pakistan.

ICC is BCCICC after all.

What are you trying to say?

Pakistan can't play on flat pitches, Pakistan can't play on turners ?

Then what to do?

 

[Devadwal]

Inzi is greater than Sachin. I know you’re in your feeling when it comes to Sachin, but it is what it is.

And I'm president of America . Both have same meaning

 

[Major]

Dubai's natural wicket is turning.
Pakistan's natural wicket is flat.

Pakistan makes turning pitches by altering with the pitch by employing fans and heaters. However Karachi wicket is naturally a spinners wicket, so it was played as it is.

If Lahore and Pindi stadium were made to be naturally spin or pace bowling friendly than thats what we would had seen.

Now you can expect ICC to use 4 fans on wickets like Pakistan was doing.

 

[charlie007]

Sachin is barely top 10 from Asia.

Not just Asia, even within India many are way ahead of him - Madanlal, Roger Binny, Karsan Ghavri, Tinu Yohannan … I don’t know what Bradman was smoking when he spoke about Sachin!

 

[RidiculousMan]

How ICC has managed to create a better batting pitch today in Semi Final that is not a turner?

This tells you if ICC wants they can tinker with pitches to make it more spin friendly or batting friendly. Even in Dubai.

Looks like India has not had their spin advantage today as much as they had in group stage because of better wickets.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Sachin is barely top 10 from Asia.

Bahot sahi bole hain aap

 

[uppercut]

What are you trying to say?

Pakistan can't play on flat pitches, Pakistan can't play on turners ?

Then what to do?

You go home and pray that the evil dushman mulk does not qualify to the semi/final/ogh-noes-atleast-not-the-trophy !!!