 "Champions Trophy 2025: Missing Indian flag controversy rises days before tournament begins")
Days before the Champions Trophy 2025 officially kicks off, a new controversy has emerged after a video showing the Indian flag missing from Karachi’s National Stadium went viral on social media. In the video posted by a popular cricket fan’s handle from Pakistan, the flags of teams participating in the Champions Trophy 2025 could be seen at the National Stadium in Karachi but the Indian flag is missing.
Now, it’s unclear why the Indian flag is missing from the Champions Trophy 2025 venue. The National Stadium in Karachi is among three stadiums in Pakistan hosting Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Besides Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi and Ghaddafi Stadium in Lahore will also host the matches.
Indian flag missing from Karachi Stadium
It’s quite possible that the video has failed to capture the Indian flag at the venue or that the Indian flag has been placed at some other location in the stadium.
Meanwhile, cricket fans are speculating that the Indian flag is missing because Team India is not travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Besides India, all seven teams will be based out of Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue will play all their matches in Dubai . Even the final will take place in Dubai if India qualify.
In fact, the tension between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was the major reason why the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 was delayed till late December 2024 .
“No Indian flag in Karachi: As only the Indian team faced security issues in Pakistan and refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, the PCB removed the Indian flag from the Karachi stadium while keeping the flags of the other guest playing nations,” a fan wrote while sharing the video of missing Indian flag from Karachi Stadium. “Absolute Cinema, Well done Mohsin Naqvi.”
Indian fans slam PCB
Indian fans hit back at PCB and Pakistan fans and termed the decision as a “petty” act.
“Mohsin Naqvi and PCB can play their petty games, but India has moved past this nonsense. Keep the flags, keep the drama…,” a fan wrote on X.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMohsin Naqvi and PCB can play their petty games, but India has moved past this nonsense. Keep the flags, keep the drama...
— SaffronSoul (@TheRealDharm) February 17, 2025
Here are some other reactions:
That's good. We don't want Indian flag their.
— Yogender siroha (@SirohaYogender) February 16, 2025
That’s good ! We don’t want our flag on your soil.
— Sumit (@sumitsaurabh) February 16, 2025
The Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off on 19 February with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi.
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