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Pakistan's Apology! Displays Indian Flag At Karachi Stadium After Controversy

Soumyajit Dutta

Indian flag at the Karachi Stadium [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Indian flag at the Karachi Stadium [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has quelled a heated controversy ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, reversing its earlier decision to omit India’s national flag at Karachi’s National Stadium. The move comes after days of backlash over allegations of deliberate exclusion, reigniting debates about sportsmanship and politics.

A few days earlier, a viral video revealed flags of participating nations, including Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, adorning Karachi’s National Stadium, but India’s tricolour was conspicuously absent. Fans erupted, accusing the PCB of undermining the spirit of cricket by sidelining India over political tensions. 

Why Was India's Flag Not Present?

PCB sources initially defended the decision, stating only flags of teams scheduled to play in Pakistan were displayed. “India isn’t coming here, so their flag wasn’t hoisted,” a source told IANS, adding Bangladesh’s flag was also excluded as they hadn’t yet arrived in Pakistan. 

However, this explanation failed to pacify fans, who viewed the absence as a breach of ICC tournament norms, where all competing nations’ emblems are traditionally showcased regardless of match locations.

Indian Tricolour Flies High In Karachi

Under mounting pressure, the PCB quietly rectified the snub. Recently, Pakistani sports influencer Farid Khan shared images on social media confirming the Indian flag’s presence at the stadium. PCB insiders attributed the initial exclusion to “logistical guidelines” but conceded to public sentiment. 

The PCB also highlighted efforts to maintain neutrality, pointing to banners featuring all team captains, including India’s Rohit Sharma, displayed across Pakistani cities. Yet, the flag saga underscores the fragile balance between cricket and geopolitics.

Despite the turbulence, the Champions Trophy kicked off on February 19 with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi, where the Indian flag was spotted. 

As Rohit Sharma’s men prepare for their Dubai opener against Bangladesh, the PCB’s eleventh-hour flag inclusion offers an uneasy resolution, one that underscores cricket’s inability to fully escape the gravitational pull of India-Pakistan politics.