PAK Vs NZ: The semi -final path will come out of the first match of Champions Trophy, it will be difficult to return after losing

Last updated:February 19, 2025, 05:56 IST

Pak vs NZ ICC Champions Trophy Opening Match: ICC Champions Trophy starts today. The first match of the tournament is to be played between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand.

The ICC Champions Trophy starts on Wednesday, February 19.

New Delhi. The ICC Champions Trophy starts today on Wednesday. The first match of the tournament is to be played between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi. The match will be played from 2.30 pm. Pakistan and New Zealand are in Group A of the tournament. India and Bangladesh are also in this group. The format of the tournament is such that even a defeat and win can create and spoil the semi-finals.

Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament after 29 years. There are 8 teams in the tournament. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. Group B consists of Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan. Each team will play 3 matches in their group. It is possible that three teams in a group win two matches each and one will lose each match. If this happens, the runrate will decide which top-2 teams will be. If a team has to avoid runrate or agar-magar, then it will have to win all three matches of the group.

New Zealand defeated Pakistan at home
Talking about Pakistan and New Zealand matches, their fans are telling their teams a contender for different reasons. Both teams recently collided twice in the tri -series and New Zealand won both times. Due to this, the fans of the Kiwi team are freshly elevated. Fans of Pakistan believe that whatever happened in the previous matches, the Champions Trophy is a new tournament and being a host, his team is overwhelmed.

All matches in India will be in Dubai
India will start its campaign against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy. The match will be played in Dubai on 20 February, Thursday. Under the hosted hybrid model, Bharat will play all its matches in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. India’s second match is on 23 February with Pakistan. After this, teams from India and New Zealand will play on March 2. The Champions Trophy matches will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Live Streaming Jio Hotstar app.