Pakistan Cricket Board Breaks Silence On No Indian Flag In Karachi Ahead Of Champions Trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally reacted to the controversy over the non-display of the Indian flag at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, one of the grounds for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The controversy was raised after photos of the stadium displayed national flags of other teams taking part, but India’s tricolor was nowhere to be found.

In a release, the PCB made it clear that the flags seen were all part of the on-going renovation and branding work on the stadiums, and all nations participating with their flags, including India’s, would be erected before the tournament. The board ensured the issue was unnecessarily being politicized and that the board had never planned to deprive any team’s representation.

The lack of the Indian flag also resulted in heavy criticism from Indian cricket supporters and analysts, questioning if it was a deliberate act. Considering the current rivalry between India and Pakistan, the situation also ignited talks on whether Team India will make the trip to Pakistan for the tournament or the matches featuring India will be held at a neutral ground.

With the Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled to start in a matter of months, the PCB’s clarification is meant to diffuse tensions and allow for a smooth lead-up to the big event. But the incident has again brought into focus the intricate political and sporting relationship between the two neighboring countries.