The countdown to the much-anticipated Champions Trophy has just begun, but tensions are already rising between India and Pakistan. The tournament, set to start in two days at the National Stadium in Karachi, will mark a historic moment for Pakistan, as it hosts its first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup. However, the build-up to the tournament has not been without its fair share of controversies.
The ongoing friction between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over security concerns has dominated discussions leading up to the event. Due to safety issues in Pakistan, India has decided to play all its group-stage matches in Dubai. This move came after the PCB attempted to convince India to send its team to Pakistan, but the BCCI refused, citing security risks.
In response to the growing tensions, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a hybrid model, where all of India’s matches will be held in Dubai, while the rest of the teams will play in Pakistan.
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As if the tensions weren’t enough, a recent video circulating on social media has reignited the debate. The video shows the National Stadium in Karachi adorned with flags of all participating teams, but notably, the Indian flag is missing. This has led to a fresh wave of criticism and conspiracy theories, with many questioning whether this is another snub from the PCB in response to India’s decision to opt out of playing in Pakistan.
While the PCB has not yet issued an official statement regarding the flag incident, the viral video has sparked outrage among Indian fans, further escalating the ongoing feud between the two cricket boards.
Historically, the Champions Trophy has been a different story compared to the World Cup when it comes to India-Pakistan encounters. While India has dominated their World Cup rivalry, Pakistan has had the edge in the Champions Trophy. The two teams have faced each other five times in the tournament, with Pakistan winning three of those encounters.
The last meeting between the arch-rivals took place in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where Pakistan triumphed over India, claiming their maiden Champions Trophy title.
