ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan wins toss, opts to bowl first against New Zealand in opening match

Web Desk

19th Feb, 2025. 01:45 pm
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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has officially begun in Pakistan, with the tournament’s opening match taking place between Pakistan and New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first against the opponent team, New Zealand.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson, the opening match of the Champions Trophy is being played today in Karachi, where President Asif Ali Zardari is attending as the chief guest.

During the toss, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed his determination to start the tournament on a winning note. He stated, “We will try to put up a strong performance against the visiting team and begin the tournament with a victory.”

Pakistan Captain Mohammad Rizwan and New Zealand Captain Mitchell Santner Share Their Thoughts Ahead of the Match

Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Rizwan emphasized the need to outperform New Zealand to secure a victory. He stated, “To win, we need to play better than New Zealand. Babar Azam is our best player, and he will open the innings.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed optimism about his team’s chances. He said, “We are hopeful for a victory in the match. Our aim is to set a big target against the host team, Pakistan, and put them under pressure.”

The Pakistan cricket team for the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 includes Captain Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.

It is noteworthy that Pakistan is hosting an ICC event after 29 years. All teams have undergone rigorous preparation for the mega tournament, with each side battling to claim the prestigious Champions Trophy title.

For this ICC event, Pakistan’s three stadiums have undergone extensive upgrades, transforming into world-class venues. Now, it is up to the players to seize the trophy and meet the expectations of their passionate home crowd. The Green Shirts not only aim to defend their Champions Trophy title but also strive to make their fans proud on home soil.