Jobaaj Stories
In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, won the toss and decided to bowl first against New Zealand. The game is taking place at the National Stadium in Karachi.
This match is particularly important as Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, and they have high hopes for their performance. The defending champions, Pakistan, come into the tournament with a lot of confidence, especially after their historic victory in 2017 when they defeated India in the final under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed.
In their most recent meeting, Pakistan and New Zealand played in the Tri-Nation Series final, which was held at the same venue. In that match, New Zealand emerged victorious, remaining unbeaten in the tournament against both Pakistan and South Africa.
Pakistan's squad for today's match includes key players like Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, with strong support from Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf. The team is hoping to replicate their success from the 2017 tournament and perform well in front of their home crowd.
On the other hand, New Zealand, led by captain Mitchell Santner, includes key players like Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Lockie Ferguson. The team is eager to carry forward their winning momentum from the Tri-Nation Series and give Pakistan a tough challenge.
As the match progresses, cricket fans from both countries are eagerly watching the game unfold, hoping to see an exciting contest between two competitive teams. The National Stadium is filled with anticipation as both teams look to start the tournament on a strong note.
