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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Rahul Gandhi to attend friendly football match between Messi, Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad
Hyderabad (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will attend the GOAT India Tour event featuring football legend Lionel Messi at the RGI Cricket Stadium here on Saturday evening, Telangana Congress sources said.
A friendly match will be played between the two teams -- Singareni RR9 and Aparna-Messi All Stars. These two teams will be playing a 15-20 minute friendly match and five minutes before the game, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, a football enthusiast and Messi will join and will dribble the ball together.
Rahul Gandhi will land here on a special flight at 4.30 PM and will proceed to Taj Falaknuma Palace Hotel where Messi will be staying.
After watching the game, Gandhi will leave for the national capital by 10.30 PM.
Elaborate security arrangements are being made for the event at the RGI Cricket stadium.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu said security would be provided with 3,000 personnel.
