Viral image of destroyed Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after Indian attack

Rating Justification

The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is false.

To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan conducted a side-by-side comparison of the viral image with an authentic photo of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and analysed the image using multiple AI detection tools.

Posts from several Indian users on multiple social media platforms since May 12, 2025, were sharing an image claiming to show damage to Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following an Indian attack. However, the viral image is fake and does not show Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at all.

India launched a series of strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7, targeting multiple locations across Pakistan. In response, Pakistan’s military downed five Indian jets and destroyed several Indian brigade headquarters and checkposts along the Line of Control. On May 10, India launched air-to-ground missile strikes on three Pakistani airbases, prompting Pakistan to retaliate with ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’. A ceasefire, brokered through US mediation, came into effect at 4:30pm the same day.

On May 7, a drone crash near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium resulted in the death of a vendor. The drone strike caused damage to the stadium’s windowpanes and nearby shops, scattering debris across the area.

HOW IT STARTED

On May 12, an Indian user on X shared an image showing a damaged stadium with the caption “Rawalpindi Stadium.”

The post went viral, gaining over 9.8 million views.

Another Indian account shared the same claim, which garnered more than 105,000 views.

Several other Indian users on X also shared the same image with similar claims, as can be seen here, here and here, collectively receiving over 78,000 views.

The same image and claim were also circulated on Instagram here and on YouTube here and here.

## METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest in the recent Pakistan-India escalation and military encounters.

Analysing the image using various AI detection tools suggested it was most likely AI-generated as Sightengine detected a 99 per cent probability of manipulation while Hive Moderation reported a 99.3pc likelihood of AI generation.

Similarly, Decopy.ai flagged 99.88pc manipulation and Wasitai.com also concluded that the image was most likely created using AI.

A side-by-side comparison of the viral image and original photographs of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium revealed key differences. The stadium in the viral image appears to have three separate seating sections, whereas the actual Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has a single, continuous seating area. Additionally, the real stadium is broader in structure compared to the narrower layout seen in the viral image.

Visuals of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following the May 7 drone strike were found on Getty Images. Taken the next day after the incident, the photos show structural damage to the stadium’s exterior.

A keyword search across credible news outlets yielded no reports of the complete destruction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. All available coverage consistently reported only minor damage resulting from the Indian drone strike on May 7.

Furthermore, it was found that the Pakistan Cricket Board on May 13 announced the resumption of the Pakistan Super League from May 17 four matches set for Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

If the viral image was authentic, the scale of destruction would have been too much to hold any matches in it.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim regarding the viral image that it shows the complete destruction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following an Indian attack is false.

The viral image is fake and does not show the stadium.

Evidence and References

May 8, 2025, pictures of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/man-takes-a-picture-in-front-of-the-wreckage-of-a-news-photo/2213400187?adppopup=true

May 13, 2025, PCB press release:
https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/hbl-psl-x-returns-from-17-may.html