‘Playing in Dubai because…’: Pakistan head coach makes Sarcastic comment on India’s advantage in Champions Trophy 2025

Aaqib speaks about India having advantage in Champions Trophy

Pakistan team had a horrible campaign in the 2025 edition of ICC Champions Trophy. The team was one of the first two teams to be knocked out of the tournament. After just 5 days of the tournament opener, they lost their clashes against New Zealand and India. Even though the venue of the tournament is their own home ground, the Men in Green had to travel to Dubai in order to face India.

Pakistan team had to travel to Dubai because it was declared as a neutral venue by the International Cricket Council. This decision was taken as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had denied sending the Indian team to the neighbouring nation because of security issues. The head coach of Pakistan team, Aaqib Javed, has now made some comments about India playing their matches in Dubai.

In the press conference ahead of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 match against Bangladesh, set to be held February 27, Aaqib stated that Indian team is definitely enjoying an advantage as they are playing all their matches in Dubai. He also stated that Pakistan did not lose because of this condition.

“See, they are in Dubai for a reason. They are playing only in Dubai because of a specific reason. Definitely, playing in one ground, staying in one hotel is an advantage. But we didn’t lose because of that. It was not like they played 10 matches before we came there,” Javed said.

Pakistan team is eliminated from the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign as they lost to New Zealand on the first-ever match of the series, followed by a defeat to India a few days later. Same situation is with Bangladesh, who have also lost two of their matches. The two teams are now to play against each other in a dead-rubber match, as the result of that match will have no impact on the series.