Champions Trophy 2025: A Pakistani journalist found himself in the spotlight—and not in the way he might have hoped—after questioning a US official about Team India’s decision to skip the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The question, posed during the US Department of State’s daily press briefing, sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many netizens trolling the Pakistani journalist for what they saw as an irrelevant query.
Pakistani Reports Highlight India’s Absence in Champions Trophy 2025
The journalist raised the issue on November 14, highlighting India’s long-standing refusal to play cricket in Pakistan due to political tensions. “There’s a big cricket event in Pakistan,” he began, referring to the Champions Trophy, slated to be hosted by Pakistan after nearly three decades. The journalist elaborated, emphasizing that this tournament is second only to the Cricket World Cup in importance and that India’s absence would be significant.
However, the principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, seemed taken aback by the question. “Cricket? Oh, I didn’t have that on my bingo card. Go ahead,” he quipped, setting the tone for what would become a much-discussed exchange.
US Official’s Neutral Stance
When asked whether mixing politics and sports was advisable, Patel tactfully sidestepped the issue. “As it relates to relations between India and Pakistan, that’s for them to address, whether through sports or other matters. It’s not something for us to get involved in,” he responded, adding that sports are a unifying force but stopping short of offering any opinion on India’s decision.
Social Media Trolls Pakistani Journalist for Question on Champions Trophy 2025
A video of the exchange, shared by an X user, quickly went viral. Social media users didn’t hold back, mocking the journalist for what many felt was an inappropriate question in a forum dedicated to pressing global issues.
One user joked, “Won’t be surprised if he asks for a chicken biryani recipe next!” Another pointed out the irony, commenting, “What about the US barring Russian athletes from international sports? Hypocrisy much?”
Others dismissed the journalist’s question as attention-seeking. “Pakistanis just want to stay in the news,” a commenter wrote, while another called it “a desperate attempt to drag the US into a bilateral issue.”
Cricket’s Role in India-Pakistan Relations
India and Pakistan’s cricketing ties have long been influenced by their turbulent political relationship. Since 2008, Team India has not toured Pakistan, citing security concerns and strained diplomatic ties. While bilateral series between the two nations are rare, they often face off in multi-nation tournaments held at neutral venues.
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