By Manisha Sahu, updated on September 15,2025
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry never fails to capture global attention, and the 2025 Asia Cup clash in Dubai was no exception. While India dominated on the field, winning the Group A encounter convincingly, it was an off-field blunder that stole the headlines worldwide. In a bizarre turn of events, the popular hit “Jalebi Baby” by Tesher and Jason Derulo blared across the Dubai International Stadium when the Pakistan national anthem was supposed to be played.
The mistake, which lasted for about six seconds before the anthem resumed, left Pakistan embarrassed and fans fuming. What followed was not just criticism of the event organizers but also a wave of social media memes and international reactions. Adding to the storm, “Jalebi Baby” artist Tesher himself joined the fray with a cheeky response that has only deepened the sting for Pakistan.
A Faux Pas on the Big Stage
The India-Pakistan rivalry is among the fiercest in world sport, and the Asia Cup clash carried enormous anticipation. But before the first ball was bowled, drama unfolded. As players lined up for the national anthems, the sound system mistakenly cued “Jalebi Baby” instead of Pakistan’s Qaumi Tarana.
The crowd inside the packed Dubai International Stadium was left confused, and cameras quickly panned to the Pakistan players, many of whom wore visibly uncomfortable expressions. Within moments, the organizers corrected the error, and the national anthem resumed, but by then the damage was done. Clips of the mix-up went viral across social platforms, sparking outrage from Pakistan fans and humorous reactions from Indian supporters.
PCB Protests, ICC Dragged In
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wasted little time in voicing its anger. Already upset about the lack of handshakes between players after the match, the PCB lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The board also demanded the immediate removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, holding him accountable for the mishap as part of overall match supervision.
While the ICC has yet to release an official statement, insiders suggest that the incident may trigger stricter protocols for match-day operations at ICC tournaments. The anthem error, especially in such a high-profile game, has raised questions about professionalism in event management.Tesher’s Playful Reaction
If Pakistan expected global sympathy, Tesher’s response may have added salt to the wound. The Canadian-Indian rapper, whose 2020 track “Jalebi Baby” became a viral sensation, posted a tongue-in-cheek Instagram Story shortly after the clip went viral.
“Shout out to the sound guy for messing up the anthem and making this an absolutely hilarious day for me. Accidents happen to the best of us, God bless u whoever you are,” Tesher wrote.
In another Instagram post, he doubled down on the humor, sharing a video of himself laughing and captioning it: “Jalebi Baby is always the right anthem. When I said Jalebi Baby was an anthem, this is not what I had in mind.”
Tesher’s playful jabs, while lighthearted, further inflamed the controversy, with Pakistani fans calling the incident disrespectful, while Indian fans and neutrals flooded the internet with jokes and memes.
Tesher’s Playful Reaction
If Pakistan expected global sympathy, Tesher’s response may have added salt to the wound. The Canadian-Indian rapper, whose 2020 track “Jalebi Baby” became a viral sensation, posted a tongue-in-cheek Instagram Story shortly after the clip went viral.
“Shout out to the sound guy for messing up the anthem and making this an absolutely hilarious day for me. Accidents happen to the best of us, God bless u whoever you are,” Tesher wrote.
In another Instagram post, he doubled down on the humor, sharing a video of himself laughing and captioning it: “Jalebi Baby is always the right anthem. When I said Jalebi Baby was an anthem, this is not what I had in mind.”
Tesher’s playful jabs, while lighthearted, further inflamed the controversy, with Pakistani fans calling the incident disrespectful, while Indian fans and neutrals flooded the internet with jokes and memes.
Social Media Explodes
The incident has quickly become one of the most talked-about moments of the Asia Cup so far. Hashtags like #JalebiBabyAnthem and #AnthemGate trended globally, with clips circulating across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
Some users found humor in the blunder, suggesting that the upbeat Jalebi Baby had briefly united both sets of fans in shock. Others criticized the organizers for failing to uphold the dignity of national symbols in such a prestigious event.
Memes included edited clips of Pakistan cricketers awkwardly reacting to Tesher’s beats and mashups of the two anthems. For cricket fans, it became yet another reminder that India-Pakistan clashes are rarely without drama.
Wider Implications for Cricket Diplomacy
Beyond the humor, the episode underscores the delicate political and cultural sensitivities surrounding India-Pakistan cricket. With relations between the two nations already tense, any symbolic misstep is bound to escalate into controversy.
The anthem mishap has become more than just a sound engineer’s mistake; it has entered the realm of sports diplomacy. Analysts warn that such incidents, if repeated, could sour relations between cricket boards and even affect future bilateral engagements.
A Rivalry Larger Than Sport
Despite the controversy, the cricket itself delivered a one-sided spectacle, with India outclassing Pakistan in all departments. Yet the off-field drama has overshadowed the sporting narrative, a common occurrence in Indo-Pak clashes.
For now, Tesher’s Jalebi Baby will be remembered not just as a global hit but as an unexpected player in cricket’s greatest rivalry. Whether this remains a humorous anecdote or evolves into a bigger diplomatic flashpoint will depend on how the ICC and PCB handle the fallout.
One thing is clear: when India and Pakistan share a cricket field, the world watches — and every note, every handshake, and every ball is magnified under the global spotlight.
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