The stage is set for upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 which is making its comeback after an eight-year hiatus, with Pakistan, the 2017 champions, hosting the showpiece tournament. The eight-team ICC tournament kicks off on Wednesday, February 19, and the nation is prepared to welcome the seven other competing sides. Leading up to the event, flags representing the participating nations were displayed at the Karachi Stadium. But what left everyone surprised was India's Tricolour's absence which sparked a massive debate on social media.
No Indian flag at Champions Trophy's event sparks debate
During a Sunday event at the stadium, fans quickly pointed out the missing Indian flag while the flags of the other seven Champions Trophy participants were prominently displayed.
However, a PCB official has come out with a clarification on the matter during a conversation with Sports Tak.
When asked about the absence of India's flag in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the PCB official made it clear
The absence of the Indian flag at the Gaddafi Stadium prompted speculation among fans, many believing it was a retaliatory move by PCB. This perceived response is thought to be linked to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision not to send their team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy without government clearance. Following months of negotiations and discussions between the two boards, including threats of withdrawal from the PCB, a hybrid model was agreed upon with the ICC. Under this arrangement, India will play their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. Crucially, the venues for the knockout stage and final will only be confirmed if India qualifies, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
PCB comes up with a clarification on Indian flag's absence
However, the PCB official has rubbished all such claims and said that ICC has advised only four flags will be hoisted on Champions Trophy days.
"The ICC has advised that only four (4) flags will be hoisted on CT25 match days - ICC (Event Authority), PCB (Event Host) and the two sides competing on that day. Simple," he told Sports Tak.
Champions Trophy is scheduled to kick off on February 19 with Pakistan facing New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Meanwhile, India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on the next day on February 20 at the Dubai International Stadium. The high-octane drama between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23.
India's squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan's squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi