Champions Trophy: India’s National Anthem plays in Lahore briefly before the start of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ | Cricket News
There was an audio gaffe at the ICC Champions Trophy on Saturday before the start of the age-old rivalry between Australia and England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Between the two national anthems that were played, India’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was heard on the broadcast for a brief moment. In the pause between ‘God Save The King’ and ‘Advance Australia Fair’, the Indian national anthem played, was stopped immediately even as the fans in the stadium seemed to have realised something was off, then the Australian anthem started.
“Well we got there in the end after a false start with the Australian national anthem,” former England captain Michael Atherton said on air as the teams started dispersing after the anthems, evidently referring to the gaffe.
India, of course, are not playing in Pakistan over diplomatic tensions. The eight-team event has returned for the first time since the last edition was staged in 2017, with defending champions Pakistan hosting their first global cricket tournament since 1996. But with BCCI not wanting to visit Pakistan, UAE was confirmed as the neutral venue where India will play all their matches. Lahore is scheduled to host the final on 9 March, however, if India qualifies for the final it will be played in Dubai.
In another controversy, the Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly not pleased by the fact that “Pakistan” was left out of the broadcast during India’s opener against Bangladesh, according to ESPNCricinfo. PCB has asked for an explanation from ICC as the logo that is displayed on the top left corner of the broadcast left out the host country’s name during India vs Bangladesh, but it has been featured during other matches. The ICC have said it was a technical glitch as per the report.
Australia skipper Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bowl against England in their opening match. The reigning world champions drafted in in-form wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey in the middle-order, despite having another stumper in Josh Inglis. England had named their playing XI well in advance, with Jamie Smith taking the gloves and slotted to bat at No 3.
