Watch: Fan arrested for waiving Indian flag in Lahore, grabbed by collar, dragged out by pulling clothes; Shocking scene in Pakistan
The ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 is being played in Pakistan and the nation is hosting it's first ICC event after a huge gap of 29 years. The tournament is being played across three cities: Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
In this tournament, a total of eight teams are taking part including the Indian Cricket Team. While the other teams are playing their matches in Pakistan, the Men in Blue are playing their matches in Dubai due to security concerns after refusing to travel to their neighbouring country.
Even though the Indian team did not go to Pakistan, there is no shortage of fans of India there. However, Pakistan has once again shown its wrong-headedness with a video that has come to light in this episode.
Pakistan's hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy has already faced criticism for its organisational shortcomings. On Monday, security personnel detained a fan for waving an Indian flag during a match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. A fresh controversy has erupted after he was allegedly taken away and beaten. Several media reports have reported on the matter. Videos of the incident have also gone viral on social media.
In the video, officers can be seen dragging the man and snatching the Indian flag from his hands. He was dragged out of his seat but the officers didn't reveal his identity or the nationality of the man.
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According to the media reports, this incident reportedly took place during the Champions Trophy clash between Ashes Rivals Australia and England at the Gaddafi Stadium. A Cricket fan in the stands wearing black trousers, a black jacket and sunglasses was spotted waiving the Indian flag. In a video circulating on social media, several security officers were seen approaching the fan and forcibly dragging him from the stands.
But was he an Indian citizen or not? The authorities there did not give any information about what happened there. However, reports say that the man was detained for holding the Indian flag.
The video of the incident has gone viral on social media platforms as Pakistan's behavior is being criticized heavily. The social media users say that the actions of the security personnels were not justified and such auctions reflect the hatred people in Pakistan have for India. Discussions over the two nations' tense cricketing relationship have become more heated as a result of the incident.
The controversy has become one of the growing security concerns at the eight team tournament. As Pakistan tries it's best to re-establish it's image as a safe destination to play International Cricket, such incidents can only further hurt their efforts. By reacting in an aggressive manner to the mere waiving of a flag, they seem to have forgotten how foreign fans and players will participate in future tournaments in Pakistan.
The relations between India & Pakistan have been historically strained and such actions can only further escalate tensions. Pakistan, who earlier has faced criticism for not placing the Indian flag alongside the participating countries on the opening day of the tournament, is now facing widespread anger over the fan being dragged out of the stadium for holding the flag once again.
Host nation Pakistan out of Champions Trophy 2025
Meanwhile, Pakistan crashed out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after losing two consecutive matches. Pakistan and Bangladesh were eliminated from the tournament after New Zealand beat Bangladesh by five wickets in Rawalpindi. Both teams will play their last match in the league match and exit. New Zealand and India, who defeated Pakistan, reached the semi-finals.
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