Indian flag missing at Champions Trophy venue in Pakistan, sparks controversy
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A fresh controversy has emerged ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy as a video from Karachi’s National Stadium surfaced on social media, showing the absence of the Indian flag.
While the flags of other participating nations were displayed at the venue, the Indian tricolor was notably missing, sparking debates among fans online.
The exact reason for the flag's absence remains unclear, but it may be linked to India’s decision to play all its matches outside Pakistan where the team would not travel and play. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) adopted a hybrid model for the tournament, ensuring that the Indian team competes in Dubai while the rest of the tournament is held in Pakistan.
The Karachi National Stadium is set to host matches involving teams such as New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and England.
However, just days before the tournament, a video emerged showing the flags of all participating teams except India’s, raising questions about whether the PCB deliberately chose to exclude it.
Due to political tensions, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, leading to a compromise between the BCCI, PCB, and ICC. Under this agreement, all of India's matches - including potential semi-finals and the final - will be played in Dubai.
Additionally, as part of the arrangement, Pakistan’s matches in future ICC tournaments hosted by India will also be scheduled elsewhere.