Watch: India's national anthem played in Pakistan during AUS vs ENG CT 2025 clash as PCB makes blunder
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In a huge mistake by the PCB authorities, India's national anthem was played during the match between Australia and England in the ongoing Champions Trophy. The incident happened when the national anthems of both countries were being played ahead of the game.
England's national anthem 'God save the King' was the first anthem to be played. After its completion, Australia's national anthem was to be played. However, India's national anthem was played by mistake resulting in the eruption of the crowd.
However, the authorities realised their mistake soon and it was stopped. It was quickly followed by Australia's national anthem 'Advance Australia Fair'. It was an unexpected incident at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore which is also Pakistan's premier cricket stadium.
They played Indian National anthem instead of Australia's.
— Strike1andout (@Strike1AndOut) February 22, 2025
Pakistan is really missing India 😂😂😂😂#AUSvENG #ChampionsTrophy
Also read: Virat Kohli injured ahead of Pakistan clash? Batter spotted with ice pack during practice
Watch: India's national anthem plays during Australia-England match at Lahore
Pakistan by mistakenly played Indian National Anthem during England Vs Australia #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/31D7hA6i6n
— hrishikesh (@hrishidev22) February 22, 2025
It was hard to believe for the crowd that the Indian national anthem was being played in Pakistan despite the Men in Blue not travelling there for the tournament.
The blunder was hard to ignore and was caught on the camera. However, there was no further mistakes as Australia's national anthem was played without any hindrance.
Controversies surrounding Champions Trophy 2025
The Champions Trophy 2025 has been going through a lot of controversy in the last few months. The PCB was able to complete the stadium's renovation work just in time before the start of the tournament.
The board received plenty of flak regarding the security issues for the players in a stadium that wasn't used before. Another controversy erupted when the BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan.
The PCB protested to the ICC but the BCCI was firm in its stance and claimed that they hadn't received the required permission from the country's government due to security issues.
Later, the tournament was decided to be held in a hybrid model, according to which the Men in Blue will play all thei matches in Dubai and won't be required to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
The PCB wasn't happy with the decision but had to compromise in order to host the tournament successfully. In the upcoming ICC events to be held in India, Pakistan too won't be required to travel to their neighboring country and will play in a similar hybrid model.
Australia and England revive the rivalry
Australia and England face each other in a clash that is expected to be a thrilling one. Both are arch-rivals which makes this contest even more exciting.
However, the form of both the teams hasn't been great lately. England just lost an ODI series in India 0-3 while Australia lost a two-match ODI series in Sri Lanka 0-2.
Australia have also been dealt with some serious injury issue before the tournament which ruled all of their first-choice fast bowlers - Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins - out of the entire tournament.
