New Delhi, Feb. 19 -- The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick-off with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 19. This is the first time Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament after 1996. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 also marks a return after a hiatus of eight years and the first time any multi-team ICC event happening on Pakistan soil post terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in 2009.

As hosts, Pakistan always enjoy the home advantage but New Zealand are no left-overs. Led by Mitchell Santner, New Zealand are in red-hot form, having won the Tri-Nation series against Pakistan and South Africa a few days back.

However, New Zealand will be missing the services of pacers Ben Sears and Lockie...