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Controversy Loading! Pakistan's Integrity Under Fire As Karachi Stadium Snubs India's Flag

Soumyajit Dutta

Karachi Stadium [Source: @Arslan1245/X.com]Karachi Stadium [Source: @Arslan1245/X.com]

A viral video has ignited a firestorm ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with fans accusing organizers of omitting the Indian flag at Karachi’s National Stadium. The clip, which swept across social media, shows flags of participating nations, and others, displayed prominently, but India’s tricolour is conspicuously absent. 

While the footage remains unverified, outrage poured in as several fans took to social media to condemn the lack of sportsmanship. While there were flags of New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan present, India's Tricolour was nowhere to be seen.

Why Was India's Flag Sidelined?

It is not clear exactly why India's flags were not present in the stadium, however, it can be understood that as India is not going to play any of its matches in Pakistan, the authorities decided to skip the flag for non-participation.

However, this points fingers at Pakistan's spirit of the game, the absence of sportsmanship. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time India’s flag has allegedly been sidelined. Earlier, Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium faced backlash during a pre-tournament event where only seven of eight competing nations’ flags were showcased, India, again, missing. 

PCB officials have yet to comment, but critics argue the omissions are deliberate. Supporters of Pakistan’s hosting bid, however, claim technical glitches or logistical oversights. With political tensions simmering, the controversy risks overshadowing the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus.

Why India's Matches Are To Be Played In Dubai?

For the unaware, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already opted for a politically charged compromise: a hybrid model ensuring Team India plays all matches in Dubai, including a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. 

Security concerns and frosty diplomatic relations forced the decision, but it now raises questions, is the flag snub retaliation, or mere adherence to India’s absence from Pakistani soil? With the India-Pakistan showdown poised to shatter viewership records, the controversy adds fuel to a tournament already blazing with rivalry and geopolitics.

Nevertheless, Pakistan will kick off the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. Meanwhile, India’s campaign against Bangladesh begins in Dubai on February 20. Should they advance, even their knockout matches will stay in the UAE.