Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly sought clarification from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the playing of the Indian national anthem briefly ahead of the Australia-England Champions Trophy 2025 match on Saturday (February 22) in Lahore.
Before the blockbuster Saturday clash, the teams lined up for the customary national anthems. England’s God Save the King was played as per schedule. However, a bizarre mix-up happened ahead of the Australian anthem as the loudspeakers blared Jana Gana Mana, the Indian national anthem, instead for a brief moment.
The incident didn’t go down well on social media as many criticised the organisers for the goof-up.
Ben Duckett has been piling on the runs since being moved to the top of the order 🔥#BenDuckett #England #ENGvsAUS #ChampionsTrophy #Cricket pic.twitter.com/gdUJpv2lYr
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 22, 2025
According to a report on ESPNcricinfo, PCB is unhappy about the mistake, blaming the ICC for it. The anthem playlist has been produced and distributed by the ICC, with the world body being in charge of playing the anthems during the matches, a PCB official told ESPNcricinfo.
The PCB has questioned the presence of the Indian national anthem since India aren’t playing any of their games in Pakistan. The ICC are yet to release any official statement about the mix-up.
India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, leading to a hybrid model, with India playing their matches in Dubai. Two days earlier, during the second match of the tournament between India and Bangladesh, Pakistan's name didn't feature in the logo on the official broadcast, for which the PCB had approached the ICC and it was followed by the latest anthem fiasco.
ICC clarified that a "technical glitch" was responsible for it though the explanation didn't satisfy the PCB. They further stated that all of the upcoming matches in Dubai will have the host nation’s logo during the broadcast.
The game between Australia and England saw a thrilling run-chase. After England posted 351-8 on the board, riding on Phil Salt's record 165, Australia gunned down the total with five wickets and 15 balls remaining, pulling off the highest-ever chase in the tournament's history.
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