NEW DELHI: A social media controversy was triggered after a video of Karachi’s National Stadium surfaced, showing flags of participating nations playing in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan and the UAE from February 19.
The video shows that the Indian flag was seemingly ‘missing’ at the stadium, stirring up controversy and heated debate. However, the authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
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The PCB has downplayed the controversy, saying the flags of the countries who are playing in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have only been raised at the stadiums.
“As you know, India is not coming to Pakistan to play its matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025; the National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore have hoisted flags of countries that are going to play at the said venues,” said a PCB source to IANS.
The source further added, “The Indian team is going to play its matches in Dubai. Secondly, the Bangladesh team has not yet arrived in Pakistan and will be playing its first match against India in Dubai. Therefore, their flags have not been hoisted and the other nations, who have arrived here and will be playing in Pakistan… their flags are there at the stadium. Different stadiums in Pakistan are going to host different teams during the Champions Trophy matches. And they’re hoisting their flags to welcome them.”
The controversial video post:
The ICC has implemented a hybrid model for the tournament, allowing India to play all of their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai.
The source also stated that cities in Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, where the Champions Trophy matches will be taking place, have got banners up on the main streets and highways, showing captains of all participating nations, including India.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (AP Photo)
Champions Trophy is returning after a hiatus of eight years. Pakistan are the defending champions and the country is looking ahead to the event’s success, as they are hosting the ICC event for the first time since they co-hosted the 1996 World Cup.