A controversy recently broke out when a video of the National Stadium, Karachi went viral, showing flags of the participating nations in the Champions Trophy 2025, but notably missing the Indian flag. This sparked outrage among Indian fans, who directed backlash toward the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The issue began when a Pakistani Twitter user claimed that the PCB had deliberately decided not to hoist the Indian flag because India had refused to travel to Pakistan. The user, further alleged that only the flags of the six nations traveling to Pakistan were displayed in the Karachi Stadium.
Indian Flag Flies High in Karachi
However, these claims were debunked during the tournament’s opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand. A drone shot clearly showed the Indian flag proudly waving alongside the flags of the other seven participating teams, putting an end to the controversy.
Indian fans are thrilled after spotting the Indian tricolor proudly waving in Pakistan. While some Indian Twitter users called it “a wonderful sight,” Pakistani fans credited it to the PCB’s goodwill. However, the absence of the Indian flag would have breached ICC regulations, which require the flags of all participating nations to be displayed at the stadium.
Indian flag flying high in Karachi 🇮🇳🫡#ChampionsTrophy | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/TfmlfaC20f
— Indian Cricket Team (@incricketteam) February 19, 2025
India flag spotted at Karachi Stadium after controversy
More here 👉 https://t.co/6RLMVHi1YP pic.twitter.com/GxR2e2a6xh
— TOI Sports (@toisports) February 19, 2025
A few days ago, fake claims were circulating that the BCCI had refused to print the host nation Pakistan’s name on the Indian jersey for the Champions Trophy 2025. However, these rumors were recently put to rest when the Indian team’s photoshoot took place, where “Pakistan” was visible on their jerseys.
But India has refrained from traveling to Pakistan for over 17 years. The last time India toured Pakistan was for the Asia Cup in 2008. However, following the Mumbai attacks later that year, relations between the two nations deteriorated, prompting the BCCI to suspend bilateral cricket series with Pakistan.
ALSO READ: Suresh Raina makes Huge Error predicting Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-finalists
Pakistan did visit India in 2012 for a five-match limited-overs series, which remains the last bilateral series between the two nations. Since then, there have been two occasions where India was scheduled to travel to Pakistan: the Asia Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy 2025. On both occasions, India refused to travel to Pakistan. The Asia Cup 2023 matches involving India were instead played in Sri Lanka, and the Champions Trophy 2025 matches will now be held in Dubai.
