The Indian flag was seen flying high during the opening game of the tournament on Wednesday, February 19 between New Zealand and Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The PCB finally placed the Indian flag in Karachi after facing backlash for not putting up the tricolour flag at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The Indian flag that was initially missing at Karachi's National Stadium ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy was seen on Wednesday at the venue during the Pakistan vs New Zealand match. The PCB clarified that flags of countries playing their matches in Pakistan were hoisted,

As per a report in IANS, a PCB source said "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."

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"Not putting up India's flag at the National Stadium's main pavilion in Karachi ahead of the Champions Trophy is neither an offense nor an obligation," sources in the PCB told the Telecomasia website (www.telecomasia.net) on Tuesday.

The two teams had met at the same venue five days ago and it was New Zealand who emerged victors to lift the ODI tri-nation series. But the Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan can never be taken lightly at an ICC competition.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was surprised by low turnout for the Champions Trophy 2025 opener between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19.

Indian Tricolour was seen flying high at the Karachi stadium during Pakistan vs New Zealand's Champions Trophy clash