PCB explain absence of Indian flag at National Bank Stadium Karachi

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a clarification regarding the missing Indian flag at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, just a day before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Outrage had spread after a video went viral on social media, showing the flags of all the participating countries except India being hoisted on the stadium's roof. The Indian flag was noticeably absent. Many people speculated that the Pakistan Cricket Board had intentionally left out the Indian flag as a retaliatory measure, especially since India is not playing their matches in Pakistan.

According to reports, the PCB has clarified that the decision was made by the International Cricket Council (ICC), not the PCB. The ICC has instructed that only four flags will be displayed on match days: those of the ICC, the PCB, and the two teams competing on that particular day. As India is not playing any of their matches in Pakistan, their flag will not be displayed at any of the three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, or Rawalpindi.

A PCB spokesperson told, "The ICC has advised that only four flags will be hoisted on Champions Trophy 2025 match days - ICC (Event Authority), PCB (Event Host), and the two sides competing on that day, Simple."

India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh for the tournament. The opening match of the tournament will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19, 2025.