The Indian flag was spotted at the National Stadium in Karachi on the eve of the ICC Champions Trophy opener. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited massive criticism after the video of Indian flag missing from the venues went viral. Speculations were rife that the PCB removed the Indian flag in retaliation to India's stance of not sending team India to Pakistan for the showpiece event.

Even BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that Indian flag should be hoisted along with other participating nations.

"First, it should be confirmed that whether the Indian flag was there or not. If it wasn't there, then it should have been put. All the participant nation's flags should have been there," Rajeev Shukla told Livemint on the sidelines of the Restaurant Cricket League in Delhi on Tuesday.

The PCB had clarified the issue on the day of the controversy, citing ICC rules behind the same. The board said that the ICC has advised them to hoist only four flags in the Champions Trophy, including - ICC , PCB and the two participating teams.

"The ICC has advised that only four flags will be hoisted on Champions Trophy 2025 match days - ICC (Event Authority), PCB (Event Host), and the two sides competing on that day. Simple," a PCB official told Hindustan Times.

The Indian flag, however, was seen at the National Stadium on Tuesday. The venue is set to host the Champions Trophy opener between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Pakistan Eye Winning Start

Meanwhile, Pakistan would be eyeing a winning start to the campaign. They suffered twin defeats to New Zealand in the tri-series so they will be wary of the threat the Kiwis bring along. Pakistan face India in the second game on February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium and that won't be an easy game either. If Pakistan lose both games, they will be almost knocked out of the semifinal race.

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