New Delhi: A fresh controversy has sparked after the Indian flag was seemingly missing from the National Stadium in Karachi, one of the four designated venues set to host matches of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In a video widely circulated on social media platforms, the flags of all participating teams in the ICC Champions Trophy were put above one of the stands at the venue.
Surprisingly for many, the Indian flag wasn’t visible, though there in exact confirmation or authenticity of the video. There were questions raised on leaving out the tri-coloured Indian flag. Some of them claimed that it was the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the tournament hosts, who removed the flag of their neighbouring nation. It was also noticed that all the other teams, including Pakistan, had their national flags over the stand.
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
It has been speculated that the fact that India aren’t playing their Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, the team’s national flag wasn’t depicted. A similar situation was reported from the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, wherein all seven other participating flags were apparently visible.
Childish (Ch**tiyapanti) move by #PCB. Removing Indian flag won’t hide their security failures. Karachi stadium 🏟️
— Kapadia CP (@Ckant72) February 17, 2025
The flags of all the nations, along with hosts Pakistan, were seen flying at National Stadium in Karachi but the Indian flag wasn’t there
Now these fake mohabbat ki dukan owners will keep their mouth shut and won’t protest.
Shame.
Get rid of them ensure #CongressMuktBharat— Hasn Maharaj (@hasso_sajnani) February 17, 2025
Pakkstan didn’t added indian flag in Karachi stadium
Shame on POORKISTAN— Andleeb Akhtar 🇮🇳 🏏 (@viratkohli_un) February 17, 2025
India-Pakistan strain relations relevance of Indian flag snub?
The political tensions between India and Pakistan are very well known across the globe. The Indian team hasn’t been involved in a bilateral series with their neighbouring nation since 2013. The Indian team has refused to travel to Pakistan twice for multi-team events such as Asia Cup (2023) and the Champions Trophy (2025) despite Pakistan being awarded the hosting rights.
In order to solve the issue, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to host both teams matches at a neutral venue whenever both India and Pakistan are hosting an ICC tournament. The reported flag snub could an additional scene in the strain relations between the two nations.
The absence of the Indian flag at Karachi’s National Stadium, a venue for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, has sparked controversy. A social media video shows flags of other participating teams but omits India’s. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
