The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken corrective action after a controversy erupted over the absence of India's flag at Karachi’s National Stadium ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In the latest visuals circulating on social media, India’s flag has now been placed alongside the flags of other participating nations, addressing concerns raised by fans and cricket officials.
The issue gained attention when India’s national flag was missing from Karachi's stadium while flags of other teams were on display. This led to speculation and criticism on social media, with many questioning Pakistan's motives behind the omission. However, the PCB has now hoisted India’s flag, putting an end to the controversy.
PCB’s Explanation for the Flag Omission
As social media debates intensified, the PCB issued a clarification, stating that the flags of only those teams playing in Pakistan had been raised at the respective stadiums.
"As you know, India is not coming to Pakistan to play its matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore have hoisted flags of countries that are scheduled to play at these venues," a PCB source was quoted as saying by IANS.
When asked about the absence of India’s, Bangladesh’s, and other participating nations' flags, the PCB source explained that India will be playing all its matches in Dubai, while Bangladesh has not yet arrived in Pakistan.
"The Indian team is going to play its matches in Dubai. Bangladesh will play its first match against India in Dubai as well. Therefore, their flags were not hoisted at the Pakistan venues. The flags of teams scheduled to play in Pakistan were displayed."
BCCI Reacts to the Controversy
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also responded to the controversy, urging clarity from the PCB regarding the initial absence of the Indian flag.
"First, it should be confirmed whether the Indian flag was there or not. If it wasn't, then it should have been put. All participating nations' flags should be displayed at the venues," said BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, while speaking to Livemint on the sidelines of the Restaurant Cricket League in Delhi.
Controversy Resolved, But Tensions Remain
With India’s flag now hoisted at Karachi’s National Stadium, the issue seems to have been settled for now. However, the incident reflects the sensitive political and sporting relationship between India and Pakistan, particularly as India has opted to play its Champions Trophy matches in the UAE instead of traveling to Pakistan.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins, all eyes will remain on the India-Pakistan cricketing dynamics, both on and off the field.
