The first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see hosts Pakistan locking horns against New Zealand. The tournament opener is scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19).
With the top two teams to qualify for the semifinal from each group, both Pakistan and New Zealand will be looking to start their campaign with a win. Each team will play three games during the group stage and there is not much room for any slipups.
Pakistan and New Zealand recently faced each other twice in the ODI tri-series. The first meeting took place during the league stage with New Zealand thrashing Pakistan by 78 runs. Both the teams were up against each other in the final as well.
Even in the final, New Zealand outplayed Pakistan and won the game by 5 wickets. With both teams now all set for the first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we are taking a look at the weather and pitch report.
PAK vs NZ Weather Report And Pitch Report Of Karachi – Match 1, ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
PAK vs NZ, weather report of Karachi:
The upcoming PAK vs NZ game is scheduled to be played in Karachi and the weather forecast for the city is very promising. There is absolutely no prediction for rain in Karachi on the PAK vs NZ match day.
So, a full match is set to take place. The temperature will be hovering in the 20s throughout the day-night match.
PAK vs NZ Pitch report:
Here are the stats of the National Stadium, Karachi:
| Matches Played | 56 |
| Matches Won by Home Side | 26 (46.43%) |
| Matches Won by Touring Side | 21 (37.50%) |
| Matches Won by Neutral Side | 7 (12.50%) |
| Matches Won Batting First | 26 (44.83%) |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 28 (48.28%) |
| Matches Won Winning Toss | 23 (39.66%) |
| Matches Won Losing Toss | 31 (53.45%) |
| Matches Tied | 0 (0.00%) |
| Matches with No Result | 2 (3.57%) |
| Highest Team Innings | 374/4 (India) |
| Lowest Team Innings | 115 (Bangladesh) |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 355/4 (Pakistan) |
| Average Runs per Wicket | 35.77 |
| Average Runs per Over | 5.35 |
| Average Score Batting First | 246 |
The surface at the National Stadium in Karachi is expected to be flat and batsmen are set to enjoy their time. This is the same venue where Pakistan recently chased down 353 runs against South Africa and the upcoming PAK vs NZ game is also expected to be a high-scoring game.
During the ODI tri-series, teams batting second won both the games and teams will prefer to bat second in the upcoming game. The dew will make it tough for the bowlers to operate in the second innings and batsmen will have an upper hand.
Conclusion:
The first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be a cracking contest. Hosts Pakistan will be desperate to start their title defense on a winning note and will also look to avenge their recent losses against New Zealand.
On the other hand, New Zealand will be looking to make the most of their form and inflict another defeat on Pakistan.