A light-hearted moment broke the tension on the global stage when members of the New Zealand national cricket team were left trying to contain their laughter after their national anthem was played at the wrong speed during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup fixture. What is typically a solemn, spine-tingling pre-match ritual turned unexpectedly comic, with players visibly amused as the audio glitch unfolded before a packed stadium and live broadcast audience.
What happened
Ahead of the group-stage clash, both teams lined up for the customary national anthems, a standard protocol at all major events organised by the International Cricket Council. However, when it was time for New Zealand’s anthem, the audio was played at an unusually fast tempo. The accelerated rendition caught players off guard, forcing several to exchange glances and suppress smiles as they tried to maintain composure.
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Television cameras zoomed in on the Black Caps, capturing the moment some players struggled to keep straight faces while continuing to sing along. The awkward yet harmless technical error lasted for the duration of the anthem, after which proceedings quickly returned to normal and the match began without further disruption.
Playing the New Zealand national anthem in fast forward is absolutely scandalous considering it’s a World Cup game. However its also hilarious watching the players trying to not laugh 😂 #engvnz #cricket #anthem #newzealand pic.twitter.com/kUOxba2j1B
— Darren Halfyard (@Halfyard4) February 27, 2026
Netizens reaction
The clip soon circulated widely on social media, with fans describing the moment as “unintentional comedy gold.” Many praised the New Zealand players for handling the situation with grace, noting their efforts to remain respectful despite the blunder. Some users joked about the “remix version” of the anthem, while others pointed out that live sporting events often come with unpredictable glitches.
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Cricket commentators also addressed the incident on air, calling it an unusual but memorable pre-match episode. While anthem mishaps are rare at ICC tournaments, this incident added a touch of levity to the high-pressure environment of a World Cup fixture, a reminder that even on the biggest stages, sport can still deliver unscripted human moments.
