Islamabad, Feb 23: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing sharp criticism following yet another controversial blunder during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. In an embarrassing mix-up, India’s national anthem was mistakenly played before the highly anticipated Australia vs. England clash at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally reached out to the ICC, demanding an explanation for the error, which has raised serious concerns about the governing body’s management and oversight of the tournament. According to sources, the anthem playlist was prepared by the ICC, and the accidental inclusion of India’s anthem especially given that India is playing all its matches in Dubai has left many questioning the governing body’s impartiality.
A PCB official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that such a mistake requires urgent clarification, stating, “Not only Pakistan but everyone deserves an explanation for this mistake.”
This incident follows another controversy just days earlier when Pakistan’s name was missing from the official Champions Trophy logo during the India vs. Bangladesh broadcast in Dubai. The ICC later attributed the omission to a technical glitch, but the repeated lapses have fueled allegations of favoritism and poor tournament management.
Despite the mounting backlash, the ICC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the anthem mishap, leaving players, officials, and fans frustrated. With the high-voltage Pakistan-India clash set to take place in Dubai this Sunday, all eyes are now on the ICC to see how it addresses these growing concerns about transparency and fairness in one of cricket’s most prestigious tournaments.
