New Zealand has rounded off perfect preparation for the Champions Trophy by thumping Pakistan by five wickets in the tri-nation series final in Karachi.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the tri-nation series final on Friday in a dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of next week’s opening game of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan eliminated South Africa from the final with its epic run-chase of 355-4 at the same venue on Wednesday with captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha scoring centuries.

The Champions Trophy prize pot will increase to $6.9 million this year, a jump of 53% from 2017, with the winners receiving $2.24 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Friday. Holders Pakistan will host an ICC showpiece event for the first time in 28 years.

The winners of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 will receive US$2.24 million as prize money along with the trophy they lift on March 9. The runners-up will get $1.12 million, and the losing semi-finalists will be awarded $560,

New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan with a hamstring tear. Sears suffered the injury in training in Karachi on Wednesday. Scan results have shown a minor tear which would keep Sears out of action for two weeks.

Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a hamstring injury. Sears, who was also part of New Zealand's squad for the tri-series in Pakistan, felt pain in his left hamstring at the team's training session in Karachi on Wednesday.

New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. This is a serious setback to the Kiwi plans. Medical evaluations following a training session in Karachi revealed a small tear in the 25-year-old pacemaker’s left hamstring,