Champions Trophy: 'No Indian flags displayed at Pakistani stadiums,' reports claim

With Champions Trophy just around the corner, hosts Pakistan have displayed flags of all nations except India at the newly-renovated Gaddafi and National stadiums, Indian media outlets have claimed.

As per the details, Indian media reports quoted a post on X claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) "removed the Indian flag from the Karachi stadium" while keeping the flags of other playing nations.

Reports went on to claim that the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was also dressed up as flags of seven teams, except India, were displayed.

While the PCB or the International Cricket Council (ICC) have not yet responded to the claims that remain unverified, sources privy to the development told The Current that the visuals were from Feb 11 -- a day before the Champions Trophy support period started.

"As per ICC guidelines, only four flags will be hoisted on match days during the CT25. These will include the event authority [ICC], event host [PCB] and the two participating countries for the day," they clarified.

Netizens, however, are speculating the possible reasons behind the alleged "snub".

As some suggested it could have been an "honest mistake", others believed it was Pakistan's reaction to India's refusal to come play the tournament in the country over "security concerns".

Meanwhile, ICC reported that tickets will be available for India's opening group match with Bangladesh on February 20, while there will also be tickets available for their games against arch-rival Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2) at the eight-team tournament.

It merits a mention that all Indian matches will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after months of negotiations between the PCB, India and the ICC following the neighbouring country's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. 

There will also be limited tickets available for semi-final 1 which will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 4, ICC said.

Separately, Pakistan is officially ready to host an ICC event for the first time in 29 years, launching the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at Dewan-e-Khas of Lahore Fort on Sunday.

The Curtain Raiser event successfully dialled up anticipation ahead of the tournament opener on February 19 between hosts Pakistan and fellow title contenders New Zealand.

Organisers lit Lahore Fort in all its glory, presenting a spectacular sight as a sign of what's to come right the way through the first Champions Trophy event since 2017.

It is hosts Pakistan that will look to defend their crown, having claimed the 2017 edition of the tournament in the United Kingdom (UK).

Members of the trophy-winning squad from 2017 played a central role at the Curtain Raiser at Lahore Fort, helping ignite great memories such as Pakistan's decisive win over India by 180 runs at The Oval in the final.