An image showing an individual holding the Indian national flag in front of Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan has been shared with the claim that after Afghanistan’s victory against England, the team raised the Indian flag on Pakistani soil, angering the entire nation. However, this claim is false. The image is either digitally altered or AI-generated, as no such incident took place during or after the match in Lahore.
Sharing the image on X (Formerly Twitter), propaganda account @ocjain4 wrote, “After winning against England, the Afghanistan team raised the Indian flag on Pakistani ground which made the people of entire Pakistan furious” ( Translated from Hindi).
इंग्लैंड से जीतने के बाद अफगानिस्तान की टीम ने पाकिस्तानी ग्राउंड पर लहराया भारतीय झंडा जिसे देखकर पूरे पाकिस्तान अवाम् की सुलग गई। pic.twitter.com/bfo1URBj2B
— ocean jain (@ocjain4) February 27, 2025
Another account, @SoniSoniSoni8, also shared the image and wrote. “After winning against England, the Afghanistan team waved the Indian flag on the Pakistani ground. Seeing which the whole of Pakistan lost its sleep… How good the Indian flag looks in the hands of the Afghans” (Translated from Hindi).
इंग्लैंड से जीतने के बाद अफगानिस्तान की टीम ने पाकिस्तानी ग्राउंड पर लहराया भारतीय झंडा जिसे देखकर पूरे पाकिस्तान की नींद हराम हो गई… अफ़गानियों के हाथ में भारतीय झंडा कितना अच्छा लग रहा है 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/a96CbJv7YE
— Anamika Soni (@SoniSoniSoni8) February 27, 2025
Several other users and Influencers have also disseminated the photo and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here: @f91802baff68425, @prvind57206, @Kumar1975Rajesh.
The truth about the photo of cricket team in Lahore, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the image and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the image. We found that the image was not real; no such incident occurred during the match.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a reverse image search and relevant keyword search but couldn’t find any verified and credible sources supporting these claims. Upon closer observation of the image, we noticed that the image contained the logo of “FIRST CRICKET”. We also visited their YouTube channel, where multiple videos (1, 2, 3) contain the image but couldn’t provide any source regarding the image and claims. The image is either digitally altered or AI-generated, as no such incident took place during or after the match in Lahore.
Additionally, it contains notable inconsistencies, such as unnatural hand positioning and distortions, indicating clear signs of manipulation. AI detection tools also indicate that the image has been created using AI.
Therefore, it is evident from D-Intent Data’s Fact Check that the image was not real and no such incident occurred during the match.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) February 27, 2025
ANALYSIS: Fake
FACT: An image showing an individual holding the Indian national flag in front of Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan has been shared with the claim that after Afghanistan's victory against England, the team raised the Indian flag on Pakistani soil, (1/3) pic.twitter.com/oT9VCcKlQg
Intent
Influencers are circulating digitally altered images with misleading claims to get the spotlight on social media.
Conclusion
Claim– After the victory against England, the Afghanistan team raised the Indian flag in Lahore.
Fact– The image is either digitally altered or AI-generated. No such incident took place during or after the match in Lahore.
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