With social media abuzz over pictures showing the Indian flag missing from among those from other teams participating in the upcoming Champions League, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have dismissed the row claiming it is not obligatory to hoist flags of all countries.
Not hoisting India's flag at the National Stadium's main pavilion in Karachi ahead of the Champions Trophy is not an offense nor an obligation, PCB sources with the knowledge of arrangements told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on Monday.
A section of Indian media kicked up a controversy on Monday after some social media handles posted videos showing flags of some of the countries being hoisted, terming it as a snub to the neighbour for refusing to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. India will be playing their matches in Dubai as per a hybrid model supported by the International Cricket Council.
PCB officials said the footage of the main building of the National Stadium shows flags of all the countries barring that of India
The footage, which quickly gained traction online, depicted the flags of other participating nations displayed prominently at the venue, while India's tricolour was seemingly missing. This development left fans stunned and triggered widespread debate on social media. However, the authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
But sources said only four flags will be hoisted during CT25 matches as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) advice and the two competing sides on the match days.
Sources also denied that the image is "not related to CT25."
The build-up of the Champions Trophy is marred by the politics between the bitter rivals, India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC that the Indian government refused to allow the team to play in Pakistan. It started a month-long impasse which almost relocated the tournament to the United Arab Emirates.
As per a deal brokered by the ICC, Pakistan agreed to host the event in a hybrid model with India playing its matches in Dubai, after it was assured that Pakistan would not have to send its team to play in India in the next ICC event hosted by the country and will instead play its matches at a neutral venue.
The next controversy came when Indian media came out with news that Rohit Sharma's team would not wear a shirt depicting Pakistan's name as host. That too was denied by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Lastly, the ICC announced there would be no photo shoots of the captains ahead of the Trophy as it was not possible to gather all the teams on February 16, the scheduled date of the opening ceremony.