KARACHI: The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins today, with defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the tournament’s opening match at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The match starts at 02:00PM (PKT).
The competition, featuring eight top cricketing nations, will run from 19 February to 9 March across three Pakistani cities – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi – as well as Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan is hosting an ICC event for the first time in 29 years, with the last one being the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan, the 2017 winners, defeated India in the final at The Oval, with Fakhar Zaman’s 114 off 106 balls and Mohammad Amir’s three-wicket burst securing victory. The team have also reached the semi-finals in 2000, 2004, and 2009.
Tournament Format and Groups
The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh
- Group B: Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan
Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Three matches each will be played in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai. The semi-finals are scheduled for:
- 4 March – First semi-final, Dubai
- 5 March – Second semi-final, Lahore
If India qualifies for the final, it will be held in Dubai; otherwise, the title clash will take place at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on 9 March.
Pakistan vs New Zealand preview
Pakistan and New Zealand are set for a thrilling contest, rekindling their rivalry after a recent tri-series final at the same venue on 14 February. In that match, New Zealand secured a five-wicket victory, led by Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul and strong performances from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, who scored 57 and 56 runs, respectively.
Pakistan’s batting lineup, featuring captain Mohammad Rizwan and in-form players like Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha, will look to capitalise on home conditions. The return of fast bowler Haris Rauf, after recovering from a muscular strain, strengthens the bowling attack alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
New Zealand, with its balanced squad, relies on the experience of Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner, and the pace of Will O’Rourke to counter Pakistan’s challenge.
Where to watch Champions Trophy 2025 live?
Fans can watch live coverage through multiple broadcasters:
- India: JioStar (live streaming on Jio Hotstar, TV coverage on Star Sports and Network 18)
- Pakistan: PTV Sports, Ten Sports (streaming via Myco and Tamasha app)
- UAE: CricLife Max, CricLife Max2 (streaming on STARZPLAY)
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action (digital access via SkyGO, NOW, and Sky Sports App)
- USA & Canada: WillowTV (streaming via Willow by Cricbuzz app)
- Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean (streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean)
- Australia: Prime Video (includes Hindi commentary)
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ (digital via Now and SkyGo app)
- South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport (streaming on SuperSport App)
- Bangladesh: Nagorik TV, T Sports (streaming on Toffee app)
- Afghanistan: ATN
- Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1), digital streaming via Sirasa
Matches will also be available on ICC.tv in select regions.
Squads:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, William O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.