PCB clarifies absence of Indian flag at Karachi stadium before Champions Trophy 2025
Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to the controversy surrounding the absence of the Indian flag at the National Stadium in Karachi, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
A PCB source stated on Monday that only the flags of teams scheduled to play in Pakistan have been hoisted at stadiums. "There is no need for the PCB to issue an official statement on this. The entire debate is based on misinformation and appears to be an attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s image as the host nation," a PCB official told IANS.
The official clarified that the National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore have only displayed the flags of teams playing at those venues.
The controversy emerged after social media users noticed that India's flag was missing from Karachi's stadium, despite the presence of flags from other participating nations. A video highlighting this went viral, leading to speculation that the omission was intentional, allegedly in response to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan.
The BCCI had earlier cited security concerns and political tensions as reasons for not traveling to Pakistan, prompting the ICC to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament. As a result, all of India’s matches will be played in Dubai.
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Fire destroys parked school buses in Thiruvananthapuram, sabotage suspected
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A major fire broke out at a school ground near here in the small hours of Monday, destroying three parked school buses, police said here.
The incident occurred at around 2.45 am at the ground of a Higher Secondary School at Thundathil under Kazhakkoottam police station limits.
Three school buses were completely gutted in the fire, while another bus was partially damaged, police said.
Fire and rescue teams rushed to the area and brought the blaze under control after an operation that lasted about 30 minutes.
A tempo traveller was found close to the buses, raising suspicion of foul play, officials said.
However, it is not yet clear who drove the vehicle or how it reached the area where the buses were parked.
The school authorities and locals suspect that the fire may not have been accidental.
Police said they have begun an investigation to find out the exact cause of the fire.
