A new controversy broke out before the ICC Champions Trophy when a video appeared on social media showing the Indian flag missing from the National Stadium in Karachi. The video posted by fans on social media pointed out that while flags of other countries taking part were visible, the Indian flag was not. This led to online debate, with fans commenting on how surprised they were. Although the reason why the Indian flag was not there is not known, it may have something to do with the Indian team choosing to play all of its Champions Trophy games in Dubai.
Watch the video here:
No Indian flag in Karachi: As only the Indian team faced security issues in Pakistan and refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, the PCB removed the Indian flag from the Karachi stadium while keeping the flags of the other guest playing nations. pic.twitter.com/rjM9LcWQXs
— Arsalan (@Arslan1245) February 16, 2025
The Karachi Stadium will be hosting matches of teams such as New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and England. The video from the venue, days ahead of the tournament, displayed flags of the competing countries but raised questions among fans as to why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had decided to omit the Indian flag.
The Indian team had refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which led to a decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to adopt a hybrid format for the tournament.
In this agreement, India will host all of its matches, including the final and semi-finals, in Dubai if they advance. Under a compromise that has been reached among the BCCI, PCB, and ICC, the Pakistan cricket team will not host its matches in future ICC events hosted in India either.
