The controversy surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 escalated after a viral video revealed that India’s flag was missing from Karachi’s National Stadium. While flags of the other seven participating nations were displayed, India’s absence sparked outrage among fans, leading to widespread speculation and heated debates on social media.
Many fans believe that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deliberately omitted India’s flag in retaliation for the Board of Control for Cricket in India‘s (BCCI) decision not to send the team to Pakistan. Due to security concerns and the Indian government’s refusal to grant clearance, India’s matches will be played in Dubai under a hybrid model.
“That’s Great Initiative By PCB To Remove The Country Who Didn’t Want To Come Pakistan,” wrote a Pakistani user on Instagram, sharing the viral video that has since gained over 5 lakh views.
The PCB, however, has downplayed the controversy. A PCB source explained to IANS, “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 going to play at the said venues.”
When questioned about the absence of India’s and Bangladesh’s flags at Karachi and Lahore stadiums, the source added, “The Indian team is going to play its matches in Dubai. Secondly, the Bangladesh team has not yet arrived in Pakistan and will be playing its first match against India in Dubai. Therefore, their flags have not been hoisted and the other nations, who have arrived here and will be playing in Pakistan… their flags are there at the stadium.”
Further, the PCB source dismissed the need for an official statement, stating, “I don’t think PCB needs to even give an official statement on this. It’s clear that the controversy is made without facts and aims to damage host Pakistan’s image with fake news.” The source emphasized that different stadiums are hosting different teams, and flags are being raised accordingly.
Meanwhile, the rivalry between India and Pakistan has now extended beyond the cricket field to player interactions. A widely shared video posted by Pakistani journalist Farid Khan featured a passionate fan urging Pakistan’s team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, to refrain from showing camaraderie with Indian players. The fan specifically mentioned that Pakistani players should not hug Virat Kohli or any Indian cricketer, expressing frustration and even hoping for India’s early elimination from the tournament.
The controversy surrounding India’s participation has also impacted the tournament structure. The ICC, under Chairman Jay Shah, approved India’s request to play at a neutral venue despite PCB’s initial threats to withdraw. Additionally, the knockout stage and final venue remain undecided, contingent on India’s qualification.
Pakistan, the defending champion from the 2017 edition, is preparing to host the tournament for the first time since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup. With banners displaying the captains of all participating teams, including India, placed across major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, the PCB insists that political tensions will not overshadow the success of the ICC event.
The Champions Trophy, returning after an eight-year hiatus, is set to begin on February 19, with eight teams vying for the prestigious title.
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Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @icctrophytour
