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New Delhi: A social media storm erupted after a video from Karachi’s National Stadium surfaced, allegedly showing the absence of the Indian flag among those of other participating nations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan and the UAE from February 19, will mark the return of the Champions Trophy after eight years.
The video quickly went viral, sparking heated debates. However, the authenticity of the footage remains unverified.
PCB Responds to Flag Controversy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) downplayed the situation, clarifying that only the flags of teams playing in Pakistan have been hoisted at stadiums across the country.
A PCB source told IANS,
"As you know, India is not coming to Pakistan to play its matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The flags at Karachi’s National Stadium, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium represent only the teams that will be competing at those venues."
The source further explained that India will play all their matches in Dubai as part of the hybrid tournament model approved by the ICC.
"Similarly, Bangladesh has not yet arrived in Pakistan and will be playing their first match against India in Dubai. That is why their flags have also not been hoisted. The teams that are scheduled to play in Pakistan have their flags displayed at respective stadiums to welcome them."
ICC’s Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy 2025
Due to political tensions, the ICC has adopted a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, ensuring that India’s matches are played in Dubai instead of Pakistan. This decision was made to accommodate the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has consistently opposed traveling to Pakistan for international tournaments.
Despite the controversy surrounding the flag display at Karachi’s stadium, the PCB pointed out that banners featuring captains from all participating nations, including India, have been put up in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, where Champions Trophy matches will take place.
Champions Trophy Returns After Eight Years
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will mark the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus, with Pakistan as the defending champion. This event is particularly significant as it is Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The country is now focused on ensuring the smooth execution of the tournament despite ongoing diplomatic and logistical challenges.
As cricket fans gear up for the high-profile event, the flag controversy remains a topic of debate, highlighting the broader tensions surrounding India-Pakistan cricketing relations.
