PCB blame ICC For National Anthem Goof-Up

Pakistan, as a host, were left red-faced when their arch-rivals India’s national anthem started playing out in loud volume at the Gaddafi Stadium during England’s clash against Australia in Champions Trophy 2025.

After the speakers had played England’s ‘God Save the King’ Anthem, it was widely expected that Australia’s ‘Advance Australia Fair’ would be played. However, much to the surprise of the audience, the speakers had started playing out a middle bit of India’s national anthem. 

According to ESPNCricinfo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have blamed the goof-up on the ICC, stating that it is the apex cricketing board’s responsibility to play the anthems. The report stated that ‘the anthem playlist was produced and distributed by the ICC, with the ICC in charge of playing the anthems ahead of the matches.'

It hasn’t been a very fruitful tournament for PCB, whose name was omitted from the official broadcast when India played Bangladesh, leading to further chaos. ESPNCricinfo added that it was an error on the ICC’s part, and the apex cricketing board insisted that such an accident won’t happen again in the tournament.