India Flag Not Hoisted in Stadium Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025; PCB Plays Blame-Game

Controversy Erupts as Indian Flag Missing at Karachi Stadium Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

A new controversy has emerged just before the start of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with the Indian flag being noticeably absent from Karachi’s National Stadium. The issue has led to widespread criticism, especially after a video went viral on social media showing the flags of all participating nations displayed on the stadium’s roof, except for India’s.

Key Details:

• Indian Flag Missing: The controversy surfaced after a video, shared on February 16, showed the Indian flag missing from the National Stadium in Karachi. This sparked debates and speculation about possible political motivations behind the omission, especially since India’s cricket team is not scheduled to play any matches in Karachi, Lahore, or Rawalpindi.
• India’s Matches in Dubai: India’s team will not be playing in Pakistan due to the lack of travel approval from relevant authorities. As a result, they are scheduled to play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai, which led many to believe that the omission of the Indian flag was intentional.
• PCB Clarifies the Issue: In response to the growing backlash, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a clarification. The PCB stated that the decision not to display the Indian flag came from the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to the PCB, only four flags are allowed to be displayed on match days: the ICC flag, the PCB flag, and the flags of the two competing teams.
• ICC’s Role: A PCB source confirmed to Hindustan Times that the directive to limit the number of flags was issued by the ICC, which only allows flags of the competing teams to be hoisted. Since India will not be playing in Karachi, there was no requirement to display their flag at this venue.
• Tournament Details: The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will feature India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in Group A. The tournament is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match.

Final Thoughts:

While the Indian flag’s absence has sparked controversy, the PCB has explained that the omission was not intentional but rather a result of ICC’s guidelines for the event. As the tournament kicks off, this issue has added fuel to the ongoing discussions surrounding the political dynamics between the two countries in the context of the cricket world.