Karachi/IBNS, Feb. 19 -- Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match of Champions Trophy 2025, which is the first ICC tournament being hosted in the South Asian country since 1996.

Pakistan are the defending champions of the mega ICC tournament, which they won last in 2017.

The South Asian cricket giant lifted the trophy defeating India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final.

Pakistan plan on making the most of their local knowledge, taking on New Zealand in Karachi in the tournament opener, and finishing their group stage phase against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

Wedged in between those group games is a mega showdown with India in Dubai on February 23.

(With additional inputs from ICC)

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