Moeen Ali Reflects on Family's Escape from Conflict Amid IPL 2025 Delays

Moeen Ali, the England cricketer, has shared a poignant account of his family's escape from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir during the recent India-Pakistan tensions that delayed the IPL 2025 tournament. With his parents just an hour away from missile strikes, Ali reflects on the chaos and fear experienced during this time. He emphasizes the shared humanity of people on both sides of the border, despite the ongoing conflict. This personal story sheds light on the broader implications of geopolitical tensions on sports and personal lives.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 19, 2025, 15:15 IST

Moeen Ali Shares His Experience

Moeen Ali, an England cricket player, recently opened up about the distressing situation caused by the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, which led to delays in the IPL 2025 tournament. He revealed that his parents were located in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), merely an hour from where Indian missiles were launched during Operation Sindoor. Due to his Pakistani roots, Moeen has decided to skip this year's IPL, which has just commenced, as his family had previously fled the area following border conflicts.

Insights from Moeen Ali

On the Beard Before Wicket podcast, Ali recounted, "My parents were in Kashmir at that time... in Pakistan, only about an hour away from where the strikes occurred. It was quite chaotic, and they managed to secure one of the few flights out that day. I was relieved they got out, but it was a crazy experience."

He further elaborated, "There were attacks in Kashmir before everything escalated. Suddenly, we felt like we were in the midst of a war, even though we didn't hear the missiles. It was a frantic scramble to ensure my family's safety."

Moeen expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, "They treated us exceptionally well, offering whatever assistance we needed. Despite my Pakistani heritage and being in India during this crisis, I truly believe that people on both sides are fundamentally the same—good people divided by borders."