Pakistan are hosting an ICC event for the first time in almost three decades. The Champions Trophy provides a stage for an imperfect team to perform.

Pakistan’s 29-year wait to host a major International Cricket Council tournament ended Wednesday when it won the toss and elected to field in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand. Pakistan is the defending champion after beating archrival India in the final when the Champions Trophy was last played in 2017.

In that remarkable tournament, Fakhar started as an unused player, made his ODI debut, and went on to become the cornerstone of Pakistan's victory over India in the final

Pakistan enters the tournament as the defending champions, having won the 2017 edition by defeating India in final.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will commence in Pakistan on Wednesday with winners of the 2017 edition, Pakistan, taking on New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament

Having waited nearly three decades to host an ICC tournament, Pakistan cricket fans endured one of their worst days in recent memory as their team were completely outplayed in the opening match of the Champions Trophy.

Centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young propelled New Zealand to 60-run victory over defending champion Pakistan in the opening game of the Champions Trophy on Wednesday.

Pakistan's largest city was abuzz with anticipation and apprehension Wednesday as the hosts played the opening match of the nation's first major international cricket tournament in three decades. Pakistan last held a major international tournament as World Cup co-hosts with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.