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The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to kick off with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. However, the presence of the Indian tricolor at the National Stadium in Karachi has sparked significant attention just before the tournament opener.
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Indian Flag Hoisted Amid Controversy
Despite India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and political tensions, images circulating on social media show the Indian flag hoisted inside Karachi’s National Stadium.
This development comes after a recent controversy where a viral video of the stadium showed flags of all participating teams—except India—displayed at the venue, leading to widespread debate and criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
PCB’s Clarification on Flag Controversy
In response to the backlash, the PCB clarified that the decision was made as per the ICC’s directive.
“The ICC has advised that only four flags will be hoisted on Champions Trophy 2025 match days—ICC (Event Authority), PCB (Event Host), and the two sides competing on that day. Simple,” a PCB official told Hindustan Times.
India’s Matches to be Played in Dubai
Due to ongoing political tensions, India will play all their matches in Dubai under a hybrid model. This approach was also used during the 2023 Asia Cup, where Pakistan hosted the tournament, but India played all their games in Sri Lanka.
A Long-Standing Rivalry Affected by Politics
Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have remained strained since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, with the two nations only facing each other in multi-nation tournaments like the World Cup and Asia Cup. The last time they played a bilateral white-ball series was in 2012, while their last Test series dates back to 2007.
As the Champions Trophy 2025 begins, the Indian flag’s presence in Karachi remains a symbolic and widely discussed topic, despite India not traveling to Pakistan for the event.
