Champions Trophy 'Venue Advantage' Row: What Prompted Pakistan To Accept This Model?

In times where the focus should be on the Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand, the chatter around an apparent 'advantage' that Rohit Sharma's men enjoyed by playing all of their games in Dubai hasn't died down. Allegations continue to come thick and heavy, forcing even head coach Gautam Gambhir to ask some difficult questions in the press conferences. While there's no denying the logistical ease India enjoyed by being stationed in one city for the entire duration of the Champions Trophy, there's more before it can be called an 'advantage'.

While a defeat in the Champions Trophy final for India would understandably be a great sense of relief to rivals, especially South Africa's David Miller who publicly said that he would be supporting the Kiwis in the title-showdown, a victory for Rohit's boys could lead to another round of 'advantage' row.

Theories, perceptions and point of views on the topic are bound to differ but what is important to know are the 'facts' behind the model that was duly accepted by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council after the Board of Control for Cricket in India refused to send its team across the border.

The Champions Trophy was seen as the platform that had the potential to revive international cricket in Pakistan. The PCB was reportedly set to receive US$6 million from the ICC in hosting fees, but the potential threat of India pulling out of the tournament threatened that.

Pakistan only had two options, either to host the entire tournament in the country without India or accept a hybrid model that would see the Indian team playing its matches at a neutral venue. To minimize logistical headache, Dubai was chosen as the sole venue outside Pakistan. In