The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a clarification after the Indian flag was not seen at the National Stadium in Karachi ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A video went viral on social media showing the flags of the participating nations being hoisted on the roof of the stadium.
Much to everyone’s surprised, the Indian national flag was nowhere to be seen, which sparked strong reactions from fans on social media. Many believed that since India would be playing all of their matches of the Champions Trophy in Dubai, hence their flag was not hoisted in Karachi. Amid the controversy, PCB has given a clarification on the matter saying that the ICC has advised that only four flags would be hoisted on match days.
“The ICC has advised that only four (4) flags will be hoisted on CT25 match days – ICC (Event Authority), PCB (Event Host) and the two sides competing on that day,” a PCB source told India Today.
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India is set to play all of their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium after their government didn’t give permission to travel to Pakistan. Both the PCB and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) gave an agreement to the ICC that India and Pakistan teams would play their matches at a neutral venue during tournaments hosted by each other.
PCB Breaks Silence On No Indian Flag In Karachi Ahead Of Champions Trophy https://t.co/An7VoTAyk0 pic.twitter.com/JkkiuZ9QPb
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) February 17, 2025
Hence, as per the agreement, Pakistan will also not travel to India for the Women’s World Cup 2025 later this year and the men’s T20 World Cup 2026. India and Pakistan don’t hold bilateral relations since 2012-13 when Pakistan travelled to India for ODI and T20I series.
While India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup, the Men in Green travelled to India for the T20 World Cup 2016 and the ODI World Cup 2023. However, seeing India not reciprocating the gesture, Pakistan has also denied travelling to their country for the ongoing cycle of the ICC events.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the curtain raiser of the Champions Trophy on February 19 in Karachi, India will lock horns with Bangladesh in their opening game on February 20. Both India and Pakistan have been placed in Group A in the eight-team tournament and will be clashing against each other in a blockbuster encounter on February 23.
