Pakistan Cricket Board has come up with an explanation after the Indian flag was absent from the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore ahead of the Champions Trophy. While the flags of all 7 out of the 8 participating nations nations were hoisted at the venue, only the Indian flag remained missing. Now, the PCB has come up with an excuse for the same.
Pakistan explain why India flag was missing from Lahore stadium
As per news agency IANS, PCB sources claimed that the Indian flag was missing from the Gaddafi stadium since India had decided not to tour Pakistan. It is pertinent to point out that India had last toured the neighbouring nation in 2008 following which geopolitical tensions forced the former to boycott cricket in Pakistan. Accordingly, a hybrid model was adopted for CT 2025. with India set to play all their matches in Dubai.
“As you know, India is not coming to Pakistan to play its matches during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025; the National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore have hoisted flags of countries that are going to play at the said venues,” said a PCB source to IANS.
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The Bangladesh national flag was also missing among the flags hoisted at the stadium in Lahore. The PCB reportedly explained that the team had not yet arrived in Pakistan, pointing out that the side was scheduled to play their first match against India in Dubai. The PCB claimed that the flags of all other nations who would play in Pakistan had been hoisted at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
“Secondly, the Bangladesh team has not yet arrived in Pakistan and will be playing its first match against India in Dubai. Therefore, their flags have not been hoisted and the other nations, who have arrived here and will be playing in Pakistan… their flags are there at the stadium.” said a PCB source to IANS.
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