Fans question absence of India’s flag at Karachi’s National Stadium before the ICC tournament begins.
February 17, 2025: Indian Flag Controversy at Champions Trophy Venue in Pakistan
A fresh controversy has emerged ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy as a viral video from Karachi’s National Stadium shows no Indian flag displayed alongside other participating nations. The incident has sparked a heated debate among fans, with many questioning the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision.
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While flags of other participating teams—including Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and England—were visible, India’s absence stood out. Some speculate that this might be due to India playing all its matches in Dubai as part of the hybrid model agreed upon after BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan.
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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
Why Is India Not Playing in Pakistan?
- BCCI’s Stance: India refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.
- Hybrid Model: India will play all its matches in Dubai, including semi-finals and finals (if qualified).
- Compromise Agreement: PCB and ICC agreed that Pakistan will not play its ICC tournament matches in India in the future.
Despite the arrangement, the missing Indian flag at an ICC event venue remains a talking point, raising further diplomatic and sporting tensions ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on February 23 in Dubai.
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Champions Trophy 2025, India vs Pakistan, ICC Cricket, PCB Controversy, Karachi Stadium, Indian Flag, Cricket Politics, Sports News