In a surprising blunder during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Indian national anthem was mistakenly played before the match between Australia and England on Saturday, February 22, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The mix-up shocked both the Australian players and the crowd, before organisers quickly realised the mistake and halted the anthem. Order was restored only after Advance Australia Fair was played in its place. The error was especially bizarre, given that India is not scheduled to play in Lahore due to their refusal to travel to Pakistan, prompting the use of a hybrid model for the tournament. India’s games are set to take place in Dubai instead.

This isn’t the first organisational hiccup the ICC has faced during the Champions Trophy. Prior to the tournament’s start, there was an uproar over the absence of the Indian flag at Karachi’s National Stadium, while all other participating teams had their flags proudly displayed. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came under scrutiny, leading to an official clarification.

Adding to the controversy, the PCB voiced its displeasure when “Pakistan” was omitted from the Champions Trophy broadcast branding during India’s match against Bangladesh. While other games featured the full branding of “Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan”, the India-Bangladesh game displayed only the tournament’s name. The ICC attributed this oversight to a “technical glitch” from the UK-based broadcaster, Sunset & Vine, and promised it would not recur. The issue was swiftly rectified, as the England vs Australia match showcased the complete broadcast branding.

Behind the scenes, the tournament’s logistics have also caused tension, particularly concerning the scheduling delays due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan. Initially, Pakistan resisted the hybrid model, which caused uncertainty over the format. However, after Jay Shah’s appointment as the ICC chief in December 2024, the situation was resolved, with all parties—the BCCI, PCB, and ICC—agreeing on the hybrid model. This approach will also be applied to future ICC events held in India, including the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.

With these blunders unfolding in full view of the cricketing world, one has to question whether the ICC’s management is truly prepared for the challenges of hosting a major international tournament. In the age of global sports, where precision and professionalism are key, such mistakes could have long-term ramifications for the reputation of cricket’s governing body.