Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, controversy sparked when the Indian flag was noticeably missing from the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The incident went viral on social media, and many fans and commentators were quick to speculate about the reasons behind the absence of the flag.
PCB was quick to respond and clarify the situation. Contrary to widespread rumors, the PCB revealed that the decision was not theirs but was directed by ICC. According to the PCB, the ICC had provided specific guidelines for the flag display during the tournament.
As per the ICC’s instructions, only four flags are to be displayed on match days at the venues: those of the ICC, the PCB, and the two teams playing on that particular day. Since India is not playing their matches in Pakistan, their flag is not scheduled to appear at any of the tournament venues in Karachi, Lahore, or Rawalpindi.
The clarification from the PCB emphasized that the flag issue was purely based on tournament regulations set by the ICC. A PCB spokesperson confirmed that the policy applies to all the matches and explained that it was a simple matter of protocol.
India is part of Group A in the tournament, alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. However, India will not be playing any of their group-stage matches in Pakistan, which led to the omission of their flag from the venues.
With the tournament set to begin on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand, the focus now returns to the exciting cricket action that lies ahead. Fans are hopeful that the event will showcase the best of international cricket, irrespective of the flag controversy.
