The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking clarification on two recent controversies during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Omission of Pakistan’s Name in Broadcast Graphics
During the India vs. Bangladesh match in Dubai on February 20, 2025, viewers noticed that the broadcast logo displayed “Champions Trophy 2025” without mentioning Pakistan as the host nation. This was a departure from previous matches, such as the tournament opener between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, where the host nation’s name was prominently featured. The ICC has informally attributed this omission to a technical error; however, the PCB remains dissatisfied with this explanation and has requested assurances to prevent similar issues in future broadcasts.
Absence of Indian Flag at Karachi’s National Stadium
A separate incident involved the absence of the Indian flag at Karachi’s National Stadium, which sparked discussions on social media. The PCB clarified that, following ICC guidelines, only the flags of participating teams are displayed at match venues. Since India’s matches are scheduled in the UAE due to their government’s directive against playing in Pakistan, the Indian flag was not hoisted at venues in Pakistan. Despite this clarification, the PCB has sought further guidance from the ICC to ensure consistent representation of all participating nations throughout the tournament.
These incidents have added to the complexities surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, highlighting the challenges of hosting a multinational tournament amid geopolitical sensitivities.
