The 2026 T20 World Cup witnessed a hilarious moment in Colombo on Friday when a technical glitch turned a solemn ceremony into a viral comedy.
Before the high-stakes Super 8 clash between New Zealand and England, the R. Premadasa Stadium speakers accidentally played “God Defend New Zealand” at approximately double its normal speed.
As the frantic, high-pitched melody began, the Black Caps players were caught off guard. Captain Mitchell Santer and his teammates were seen exchanging amused glances and visibly struggling to hold back laughter while standing for the official lineup.
The support staff also found the situation impossible to ignore, with many seen in splits as the anthem raced toward the finish line.
Fans on social media quickly dubbed it the “1.5x speed remix,” while some critics felt the blunder was “absolutely scandalous considering it’s a World Cup game.”
The light-hearted moment briefly eased the tension of the must-win match. During the toss, Santner stayed focused on the game, stating, “We’re going to bat first. You have to win games if you want to win a World Cup.”
Despite the early giggles, England eventually won the match by four wickets, leaving New Zealand’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.
The “Anthem Blunder” remains the tournament’s most memorable blooper, proving that even at the highest level of sport, things don’t always go according to the script.
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