The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a clarification after a viral video sparked controversy over the absence of the Indian flag at the National Stadium in Karachi ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The video showed the flags of participating nations being hoisted at the stadium, but the Indian tricolor was missing, leading to strong reactions from fans and speculations across social media. Many believed that since India is set to play all its matches in Dubai, the omission of their flag in Karachi was intentional.
Amid growing discussions, the PCB clarified that the flag’s absence was due to an ICC directive, which states that only four flags will be displayed on match days—the ICC flag (representing the event authority), the PCB flag (as the host board), and the flags of the two teams playing that day. A PCB source confirmed to India Today that the board strictly followed these guidelines. Since India will not play any matches in Pakistan, there was no requirement for its flag to be displayed at the venue.
India’s matches in the Champions Trophy are scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, as the Indian government has not granted permission for the team to travel to Pakistan. This arrangement is based on an agreement between the PCB and the BCCI, under which both nations agreed to play their matches at neutral venues whenever a tournament is hosted by the other. The same arrangement means that Pakistan will also not be traveling to India for the Women’s World Cup 2025 or the men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 due to ongoing political tensions. The last time India visited Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup, while Pakistan’s most recent tour of India was for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite the absence of bilateral cricket, the two teams continue to face off in ICC events, making their clashes some of the most anticipated encounters in world cricket.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi. Meanwhile, India will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The most anticipated match of the tournament will be the India-Pakistan showdown, scheduled for February 23. Fans from both nations and around the world are eagerly awaiting the high-voltage encounter, which is expected to draw massive viewership and generate intense excitement.
