Pakistan’s hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked yet another controversy. A man was detained and allegedly beaten by security personnel at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for waving an Indian flag during a match. The incident is likely to have occurred during the Australia vs England Champions Trophy match.
The spectator dressed in black pants, a black jacket, and aviator sunglasses was seen waving an Indian flag. The video of the incident which is doing rounds on social media shows officials confronting the man and forcibly removing him from the seating area. Authorities have not disclosed the man’s identity or nationality. The video is going viral on social media and FPJ does not vouch for the authenticity of the video
Striking contrast in how Cricket is perceived across borders
Cricket has often been viewed as a unifying force between India and Pakistan, whose relations have been historically tense. However the latest incident and the two other incidents involving Virat Kohli’s admiration in Pakistan and the pro-Pakistan slogan controversy in India offer a striking contrast in how the sport is perceived across borders.
Virat Kohli’s recent century in the Champions Trophy against Pakistan was lauded by fans across the border and even urged their own team to take inspiration from him.
However In stark contrast, a cricket-related controversy in Maharashtra’s Malvan took a different turn. During the high-voltage India vs Pakistan match, two individuals allegedly raised "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. The locals apprehended them and handed them over to the police.
The following day, the Malvan Municipal Council took swift and severe action by demolishing a scrap shop owned by one of the accused, demonstrating the intensity of nationalistic sentiment in India. These two incidents highlight the dual nature of the sport between the cross border rivals.
