By Zainab Shafiq 
As Pakistan gears up to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a fresh controversy has taken centre stage. A video from Karachi’s National Stadium has gone viral, showing flags of all participating teams—except India’s. The absence of the Indian flag from National Bank Stadium has ignited a fiery debate online, with critics accusing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of intentionally omitting it. However, PCB officials have swiftly clarified that only flags of teams playing in Pakistan are being displayed.
The tournament, which starts on February 19, has already been engulfed in controversy as India opted to host its games in Dubai rather than Pakistan. The hybrid model, endorsed by the ICC, permits India to play away from Pakistan while the rest of the teams compete in Pakistan. Regardless of this, the absence of the Indian flag at the National Stadium has turned into a tinderbox issue with social media users asking questions about the motives of the PCB.
PCB sources have dismissed the controversy as baseless. “India is not playing in Pakistan, so their flag is not hoisted here. The same applies to Bangladesh, which will play its first match against India in Dubai,” a PCB official explained. The official emphasized that the flags at Karachi’s National Stadium, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium represent only the teams competing at those venues.
Absence of Indian Flag from National Stadium: A Teacup Storm?
The PCB has declined to make an official comment, terming the furore as a result of a “misleading social media video.” Pakistani cities have been covered in banners bearing the captains of all teams participating, including India’s Rohit Sharma, marking an attempt to keep politics and sport separate.
The row arrives as Pakistan is basking in the glory of its return to the international cricketing arena. The Champions Trophy is the nation’s first ICC tournament since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup, a major milestone for a country that has strived hard to restore its image. Recent improvements in stadiums and the successful organization of a Tri-Nation series have also added to Pakistan’s credentials.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi spoke to critics who questioned Pakistan’s capacity to finish stadium renovations on schedule. “We win, you lose,” he stated, pointing to the successful upgrade completion.
With the tournament looming, cricket is what’s on everyone’s mind. For Pakistan, this is not simply a sporting competition—it’s an opportunity to highlight its growth and determination. While the absent Indian flag may be the one getting front-page coverage in the short term, the true story is of Pakistan’s successful return as a host for international cricket.
Also, see:
Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan set to host first ICC event in three decades