The Champions Trophy is the first ICC event in Pakistan since 1996 World Cup.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was taken aback by the low turnout in Karachi's National Stadium as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off on February 19, 2025.
The eight-team Champions Trophy has countries divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh and India. Group B features England, South Africa, Australia and Afghanistan.
According to the format, the top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals. The final is slated on March 9. If India advances to the final, it will be held in Dubai; otherwise, Lahore will host the title decider.
Pakistan's long-awaited return to hosting a major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament began on Wednesday, when they won the toss and elected to play in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand.
As defending champions, Pakistan retained their title by defeating long-time rival India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy. Pakistan's last major ICC tournament was the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
The Champions Trophy's first match will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi. The attendance for this historic game for Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was low.
England’s ex-captain Michael Vaughan was surprised to see the low turnout in Karachi Stadium for the CT 2025 opening match.
He wrote on X, "Great to see the champions trophy being played in Pakistan .. First major event since 1996 .. Have they forgotten to tell the locals it’s on .. Where is the crowd??"
New Zealand, who won the tournament in 2000, have triumphed in all three of their previous Champions Trophy encounters against Pakistan, occurring in 2000, 2006, and 2009.