Indian batter Shreyas Iyer faced an unusual question from a journalist during the post-match press conference after India’s six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The right-hander played a pivotal role in the run chase, scoring a fluent 56 off 67 balls at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, February 23.
Although Pakistan was the official host, the tournament was held in the UAE due to India’s decision not to travel across the border. A hybrid model was adopted, ensuring that India played all their matches, including the knockouts, at a neutral venue.
During the press conference, Iyer was asked whether the win would have been more special had it taken place in Pakistan instead of the Middle East. In response, he firmly stated that he had never played in Pakistan but valued the victory regardless of the location.
“I’ve never played a single game in Pakistan so I don’t know about that. But at the end of the day, it was a neutral venue for both teams, it’s a different kind of challenge. We also don’t play much in Dubai but at the end of the day, any victory against Pakistan is sweet.”
“Because it’s always competitive and it’s a different challenge with external pressure from all around. I really enjoyed it, it was my third game against Pakistan. It was fun,” Iyer said in the press conference (via India Today).
The Indian team last competed on Pakistani soil during the 2008 Asia Cup, long before Shreyas Iyer made his debut in international cricket.
Shreyas Iyer has a batting average of 61.50 in ODIs against Pakistan
Since bilateral series are not an option, India and Pakistan only compete against each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. Shreyas Iyer first faced Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup, where he scored 14 runs off 9 balls before being dismissed by Haris Rauf in Pallekele.
Later that year, he registered an unbeaten half-century during their clash in the 2023 ODI World Cup league stage. With his composed innings in the 2025 Champions Trophy, Iyer has now notched up back-to-back fifties against Pakistan.
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