'Attempt To Tarnish Pakistan’s Image': PCB Issues Statement On Absence Of Indian Flag At Karachi’s National Stadium Before Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has addressed the controversy regarding the absence of the Indian flag at Karachi’s National Stadium, while the flags of other participating nations were displayed.

Responding to the matter, a PCB source clarified on Monday that only the flags of teams playing their matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been hoisted at the stadiums.

A PCB official told the IANS news agency," There is no need for the PCB to issue an official statement on this. The entire debate is based on misinformation and appears to be an attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s image as the host nation.”

He further added, “As you are aware, India will not be playing its matches in Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore have only raised the flags of the teams scheduled to play at these venues,”

What is the controversy surrounding Indian Flag?

Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, social media users noticed that India’s flag was missing from the National Stadium in Karachi, even though the flags of the other seven participating teams were present. A video highlighting this quickly went viral, sparking speculation.

Many believe that the PCB deliberately omitted India’s flag as a response to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan.

The BCCI had earlier cited security concerns and political tensions as reasons for not traveling to Pakistan, leading the ICC to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament. Due to the Indian government’s refusal to grant clearance, all of India’s matches will now be played in Dubai under this hybrid format.