The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin on Wednesday (February 19). Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the tournament opener at the National Stadium, Karachi.

In what will be Pakistan’s first ICC event on home soil since 1996, there is a lot at stake for the Men in Green.

Pakistan are the defending champions, having clinched the title in 2017, and one thing that carries over from that triumph eight years ago is the presence of Babar Azam.

Babar was instrumental, as a budding 22-year-old, when Pakistan reigned supreme in the England and Wales. And now, as a 30-year-old and one of the top batters in the world, he will look to replicate the success again.

“As a player, I am very excited, and all the fans are excited,” Babar said, as quoted by ICC.

“A lot has changed since the Champions Trophy was held in 2017. We have new players coming, we only have three or four players who were part of that winning team. But the belief, confidence and execution are the same.”

Pakistan have recently faced a period of challenging coaching change, but Babar refused to accept that the instability and adversity this team has encountered will be used as any kind of excuse during the Champions Trophy.

“There is no pressure of anything. What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed mistakes we have made and we have worked on them," he said.

“When you have responsibility as a senior player in any team and the team relies on you and has belief in you, then I take it in a positive way."

Pakistan plan on making the most of their local knowledge, taking on New Zealand in Karachi in the tournament opener, and finishing their group stage phase against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

Their marquee clash with India in Dubai on February 23 is sandwiched between those group games.

“When you play at home you get that edge as you know the conditions,” Babar stated.

“You have a knowledge of how the pitch will behave, both in the first and second (innings), but still you have to play good cricket because all other teams are among the best. It means a lot to be hosting the competition.”

(With ICC Inputs)