The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy witnessed an unusual and embarrassing moment in Lahore when the Indian national anthem was mistakenly played instead of the Australian national anthem ahead of the much-anticipated clash between Australia and England on February 22. The unexpected mix-up took both players and fans by surprise, with the Australian squad appearing visibly confused as Jana Gana Mana echoed through the Gaddafi Stadium. The organisers quickly realised their blunder and halted the anthem midway before playing the correct Australian national anthem, Advance Australia Fair. The incident, which was widely circulated on social media, sparked reactions from fans, with some calling it a simple mistake, while others questioned the professionalism of the event’s management.
This bizarre mistake raised even more eyebrows given that India is not scheduled to play any of its Champions Trophy matches in Lahore. Due to long-standing political tensions, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, leading to the adoption of a hybrid model. Under this arrangement, all of India's matches are being held in Dubai, while the remaining games are being played in Pakistan. The anthem mix-up is just the latest in a string of controversies that have plagued the tournament, putting the ICC’s organisational efficiency under scrutiny.
The ICC has already been criticised for multiple logistical and administrative missteps even before the tournament began. One of the most debated controversies was the absence of the Indian flag at Karachi’s National Stadium during pre-tournament preparations. While the flags of all other competing nations were prominently displayed, the missing Indian flag sparked backlash from Indian fans and officials. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was questioned about this omission, prompting them to issue a clarification, though many saw it as yet another reflection of the political tensions between the two cricketing giants.
The tournament faced another controversy when the PCB expressed its displeasure over the omission of the word "Pakistan" from the official broadcast branding during India’s match against Bangladesh. Unlike all other matches that featured the complete title—"Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan"—the India vs. Bangladesh match displayed only "Champions Trophy 2025" in the graphics shown on screen. Viewing this as a deliberate snub, the PCB lodged a formal complaint with the ICC, demanding an explanation. According to reports by ESPNCricinfo, the ICC attributed the issue to a "technical glitch" from the broadcaster’s end. UK-based production company Sunset & Vine, which is responsible for producing the ICC’s global broadcast feed, was reportedly behind the error. Following the PCB’s complaint, the ICC assured Pakistan that such mistakes would not be repeated, and the England vs. Australia match that followed featured the full branding.
These controversies have only added to the pre-existing tensions between the BCCI, PCB, and ICC, which were already at odds over the tournament's hosting arrangements. The 2025 Champions Trophy was originally set to be hosted solely in Pakistan, but India refused to travel due to security concerns and diplomatic tensions. This led to months of negotiations, with the PCB initially resisting the idea of a hybrid model. Eventually, after Jay Shah assumed the ICC chairmanship in December 2024, a resolution was reached, and the hybrid model was confirmed. Under this agreement, India is playing all of its matches in Dubai, while Pakistan is hosting the rest of the tournament. This arrangement is now expected to be used for future ICC events as well, including the Women’s ODI World Cup in India in 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.
Despite the excitement surrounding the Champions Trophy, these off-field controversies have dominated headlines just as much as the cricketing action itself. The anthem mix-up in Lahore, the missing Indian flag, and the broadcast branding controversy all point to a tournament that has been marred by administrative blunders and political undercurrents. While the ICC has assured fans and stakeholders that such mistakes will not be repeated, these incidents have once again highlighted the challenges of hosting global cricketing events in geopolitically sensitive regions.
With high-stakes matches still to come, the focus now shifts to the teams and their on-field performances. However, the ICC and tournament organisers will be under pressure to ensure that no further mishaps occur, as any additional controversies could further strain relations between cricketing boards and fans alike. The Champions Trophy has always been one of the most prestigious limited-overs tournaments in cricket, and while the quality of play on the field remains world-class, it is the off-field controversies that have taken center stage so far in the 2025 edition. The coming days will reveal whether the ICC can regain control and ensure that the remainder of the tournament runs smoothly without further administrative or political distractions.
