Hardik Pandya dodges Pakistan travel question with witty reply after Champions Trophy win

DUBAI: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya humorously replied to a question about the team’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

During the post-match press conference after the Men in Blue’s victory against New Zealand in the final, a Pakistani journalist questioned Pandya about India’s choice to play all their matches in the UAE instead of Pakistan, the tournament’s official host.

“It’s great. Even the people of Pakistan wanted us to play there, but it couldn’t happen. I’m sure all the Pakistanis in Dubai must have enjoyed the match.”

Hardik Pandya further stated that the decision to travel to Pakistan for the multi-nation tournament is above his pay grade.

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“As for why the Indian team didn’t go to Pakistan, I think that’s above my pay grade,” he said.

His amusing remark, accompanied by a smile, triggered laughter in the room and soon gained traction on social media.

For the unversed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited security and political tensions as reasons for not travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

This resulted in a hybrid model, with India playing all their matches in Dubai while other teams played in Pakistan.

Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that it will not send its team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup and will instead play at a neutral venue.

Read: Wasim Akram reacts to PCB’s absence from Champions Trophy presentation ceremony