Legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has put out a bold claim regarding who he believes could become the “poster boy” of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan are the hosts of the Champions Trophy 2025, and it marks the first time the nation is hosting a major ICC event in nearly three decades. Ahead of the tournament, Ashwin singled out one player to star for the hosts during the event. The twist is, it wasn’t star batter Babar Azam or captain and wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Instead, Ashwin stated that 31-year-old all-rounder Salman Ali Agha could end up surpassing the legacy of Babar and Rizwan.

“I am excited about two players. Tayyab Tahir and Salman Ali Agha. What a player Salman Agha is. He has quality and pressure-handling ability,” Ashwin said, speaking on his Hindi-language YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat‘.

Ashwin pointed out the qualities that Salman Ali Agha has as to why he thinks he could become a huge player for Pakistan.

“I am seeing a Pakistani player with on-field presence for the first time in many years. I really hope he does not go like some of the other players did. He could become the poster boy for Pakistan cricket. I believe he has so much ability that he can surpass Babar Azam and Rizwan,” Ashwin added.

In 34 ODIs for Pakistan, Agha has smashed 957 runs at an average of over 45. He has also taken 16 wickets, making him a potent all-round option for them.

Recently, Agha slammed 134 and masterminded a chase of 353 for Pakistan against South Africa.

“I am not sure about his exact age but I am a fan of his game. He has the skill to play all kinds of shots,” Ashwin stated.

Salman Ali Agha made his debut for Pakistan in Tests and ODIs only in 2022, but has now established himself as arguably their most important player for team balance. Agha has also hit three centuries in 21 Test matches for Pakistan, whilst also picking up 19 wickets.

Pakistan face New Zealand, India and Bangladesh during the Champions Trophy 2025, with the game against India happening in Dubai.

Pakistan started the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday. Chasing a huge 321-run target, Pakistan’s chase never really took off as the top-order batters played painfully slow knocks. In the first 10 overs, Pakistan scored just 22/2 with Babar Azam on 12* (27b) and Mohammad Rizwan on 3* (14b). In 15 overs, Pakistan reached 49/2 with Babar on 22* (37b) and in 20 overs, they scored just 66/2. The run-scoring pace only picked up when Salman Agha came to the crease. He played a fluent knock (42, 28b).

Ravichandran Ashwin took note of Babar’s knock and said it reminded him of “The Tortoise and Rabbit story”. 

Babar’s journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha’s batting has to be the best depiction of ” The Tortoise and Rabbit story” . #ChampionsTrophy

The 50 I hope will come soon enough

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) February 19, 2025

Sluggishness and conservative are two words, that could define Pakistan’s run-chase of 321 runs against New Zealand in their ICC Champions Trophy campaign opener as the defending champions were downed by 60 runs at Karachi on Wednesday.

This is NZ’s fourth win against Pakistan in the CT, and it has never lost a match against the defending champions. Things are not looking good for Pakistan, as their next match against arch-rivals India will be a virtual knockout. Saud Shakeel, skipper Mohammed Rizwan, and Babar Azam’s slow knocks let down their team badly.

In a run chase of 321 runs, Pakistan was off to a poor start as Saud Shakeel fell to Will O’Rourke for 6 (in 19 balls) after a thick edge off his bat went to Matt Henry at third man. Pakistan was 8/1 in 3.4 overs.

Pakistan skipper Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam joined forces, playing some really conservative cricket to end the first 10 overs at 22/2, with skipper Rizwan being removed thanks to a stunning diving effort by Glenn Phillips for 3 (14), giving O’Rourke his second scalp.

Babar was joined by Fakhar Zaman, with the latter bringing some fine shots to use. Thanks to a four by Babar, Pakistan reached the 50-run mark in 15.2 overs.

Fakhar was trying to show some intent, but a ball by Michael Bracewell deceived him, cleaning his stumps. Pakistan was 67/3 in 20.5 overs.

Then came Salman Agha on the crease, contrasting his audacious hits with a conservative Babar. Pakistan reached the 100-run mark in 27.1 overs.

Agha was taking on spinners well, but Babar’s slow knock put pressure on him. He gave away his wicket to Nathan Smith for 28-ball 42, with six fours and a six. Pakistan was 127/4 in 30.4 overs.

Babar completed his 35th ODI fifty in 81 balls with five fours.

Santner also got Tayyab Tahir for 1, putting half the team in the pavillion for 128 runs. He also put Babar’s sluggish knock to an end at 90-ball 64, with six fours and a six. Pakistan was 153/6 in 34 overs.

After Babar’s dismissal, the run rate went up, with Khushdil Shah hitting some boundaries against spinners.

Khushdil helped Pakistan reach the 200-run mark in 41 overs.

Shaheen was removed by Matt Henry for 14 in 13 balls, with a six. Pakistan was 200/7 in 41 overs.

Khushdil reached his half-century in 38 balls, with six fours and a six. A 29-run stand between Shah and Haris Rauf was undone by O’Rourke, removing Shah for 69 in 49 balls, with 10 fours and six. Pakistan was 229/8 in 44 overs.

Rauf and Naseem Shah entertained the crowd with some big hits, but Santner removed Rauf for 19 in 10 balls, with three sixes. The last wicket was taken by Henry, who cleaned up Naseem Shah for 13 in 15 balls. Pakistan was skittled out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs.

O’Rourke (3/47) and Santner (3/66) were top bowlers for NZ. Matt Henry took two wickets, with Bracewell and Nathan getting a wicket each.

With ANI inputs

PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Streaming: The D Day has finally arrived as the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin. In the first encounter of this ICC tournament, defending Champions Pakistan will be squaring off against New Zealand in Karachi. Pakistan enter the tournament as the defending champions, having beaten India in the final of the 2017 edition, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed. However, Mohammad Rizwan and co will not be getting overconfident as they recently suffered two consecutive losses against New Zealand in the Tri-nation ODI Series in Pakistan.

New Zealand, placed in Group A along with India, Bangladesh, and host Pakistan, will look to clinch their second Champions Trophy title after 2000. However, in the recent ICC tournaments, the team has established themselves as a force to reckon with in the title battle.

When will the Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match take place?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match will take place on Wednesday, February 19.

Where will the Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match be held?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match will be held at National Stadium, Karachi.

What time will the Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match start?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match will start at 2:30 PM IST. The toss will take place at 2:00 PM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match will be televised live on the Star Sports Network in India. In Pakistan and USA, the match will be televised live on PTV, Ten Sports and Willow TV respectively. 

Where to follow the live streaming of the Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025 match will be live streamed on the Jio Hotstar app and website in India. In Pakistan and USA, live streaming of the match will be available on Myco, Tamasha App and Willow by Cricbuzz App respectively. 

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

With IANS Inputs

ICC Champions Trophy 2025, PAK vs NZ LIVE Updates© AFP

Former Pakistan Kamran Akmal has rubbished the comparisons between star India batter Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. Akmal suggested that there is no comparison between Kohli and Babar, saying that the former is in a league of his own. Furthermore, Akmal also called out social media users for drawing parallels between the two, labelling such fans as “foolish”. While both Kohli and Babar are going through a dip in form, Akmal feels that the former India captain has set a different benchmark, delivering top performances over the years.

“Bewakoof log hai (people who rate Babar Azam similar to Virat Kohli are foolish). Virat Kohli is such a big player. He has been a role model globally. He has played with so much passion. Such players are hard to come by. He has set such a high benchmark. There is no comparison between the two,” said Akmal, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Speaking on Babar’s recent struggles across the format, Akmal expressed confidence that his cousin will regain his form in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan, barring India matches. Akmal said that the entire nation is rooting up for Babar to notch up his 20th ODI century, a feat achieved by only one Pakistan player (Saeed Anwar) in the past.

“Virat is such a big player but in the last few years, he has also been struggling for runs. He has just 3 Test tons in the last five years. Babar is also going through a lean run. He just needs to follow the process. The entire country is waiting for his 20th ODI ton. Maybe he gets back among the runs in the Champions Trophy. We want him to score at least 30-35 ODI centuries,” he added.

Ahead of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand, Babar said he is determined to guide his team to another triumph, this time in front of their passionate fans.

“I am very excited,” Babar was quoted by ICC as saying “We are going to have an ICC tournament in Pakistan after a very long time. As a player, I am very excited, and all the fans are excited.”

“When you have responsibility as a senior player and the team relies on you, I take it in a positive way,” Babar said. “I try to give my best in every match so that Pakistan wins, and I enjoy my cricket.”

“There is no pressure of anything. What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed our mistakes and worked on them, and we will try not to repeat them,” he added.

Kohili’s record, on the other hand, speaks for itself. He has 50 ODI hundreds to his name, a feat achieved by none.

Pakistan will host a first major cricket tournament in almost three decades from Wednesday in a move hailed as a landmark just a few years after the country was off-limits because of security fears. Staging the Champions Trophy in three cities over the next two-and-a-half weeks will be a huge boost to the South Asian nation’s reputation if authorities can pull it off smoothly and safely. “Convincing the world that Pakistan is a safe country and that it is capable of delivering such a global event from an administration point of view took serious hard work and convincing,” former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja told AFP.

“The world eventually understood our viewpoint,” said Raja, under whose tenure the event was awarded in 2021.

The build-up has not been without problems after neighbours and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions.

A powerhouse of the sport on and off the pitch, India will instead play their matches in Dubai, but the other seven countries will be based in Pakistan.

The country has stepped up security, especially in host cities Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, even if attacks in major cities are increasingly rare.

Pakistan had been due to host the Champions Trophy, the premier ODI event after the World Cup, in 2008.

It was instead staged in South Africa a year later because of a security crisis that spilled over from the war in neighbouring Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks.

Pakistan became a no-go zone for international sides in 2009 after Islamist gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka’s team in Lahore, wounding several players and killing eight policemen and civilians.   

But since a sweeping military crackdown that started in 2014 and lasted several years, security has vastly improved.

Test cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019 and Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa later toured the country, helping Pakistan’s bid to host the tournament. 

Those teams will all be in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

‘Terrorism took everything’

For 77-year-old businessman Haji Abdul Razzak, a global event coming back to Pakistan is like another birthday. 

The last time Pakistan held a major international cricket tournament was as co-hosts, with India and Sri Lanka, in 1996.

Razzak raised the Sri Lankan flag on March 17, 1996 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore when the islanders defeated Australia to clinch the title.

Twenty-nine years later the cricket fanatic will attend the opening match of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Wednesday between holders Pakistan and New Zealand. 

“It is fresh in my mind,” a teary-eyed Razzak told AFP. “My country was thriving back then and cricket was on everyone’s mind.”

He added: “Terrorism took everything away from us. I am overjoyed to see a global event coming back to our country and I am feeling like it will be my birthday.” 

Although militancy is still a threat in Pakistan, the violence is nearly entirely limited to the remote border regions from north to south, far away from the stadiums.

With the capital Islamabad placed in lockdown, Pakistan recently hosted a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and a global meeting on girls’ education, raising its profile on the international stage. 

As a test case for its readiness, Pakistan last week staged a tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa and crowds flocked to the recently renovated stadiums in Lahore and Karachi.

Raja, a former Pakistan captain who played in the 1987 World Cup hosted by Pakistan and India, said holding the Champions Trophy has enormous significance that goes beyond sport. 

“This Champions Trophy is a crucial step toward normalising its standing in the global cricket community,” he said.

“It’s also about national pride and sending a strong message about resilience and determination. 

“It is about youth engagement, cultural promotion and building a global image.

“Now the onus is on us to deliver.” 

The high-profile ICC Champions Trophy is all set to begin, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening clash on February 19. However, the big encounter between India and Pakistan will unfold on February 23 in Dubai when the two arch-rivals go head-to-head in a rare face-off. The Indo-Pak clash also brings about some exciting personal contests. The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Mohammed Shami, etc. will all be looking to deliver the best possible for their respective sides.

When it comes to personal battles, the Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam debate has kept fans engaged for a long time. However, former Pakistan pacer Abdur Rauf Khan feels India skipper Rohit Sharma is way ahead of the duo when it comes to the current crop.

“Both are great players (Rauf said when asked about the Kohli vs Babar comparison). But in my opinion, Virat Kohli has no comparison. His class, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure set him apart. Babar Azam, when in form, is exceptional. But personally, my favourite batsman [batter] is Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit is currently the best batsman [batter] in world cricket. He is way better than Virat and Babar,” Rauf told the Times of India.

When asked about the two ‘game-changing players’ from India and Pakistan who can have a big impact, Rauf picked Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma from the Indian team. From Pakistan, he picked Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah.

“For India, I would pick Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma. Pandya is a match-winner who can turn the game around with both bat and ball, while Rohit’s experience in high-pressure games is invaluable. For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan is always a threat against India and has a great record in these encounters. The other key player, in my opinion, is Naseem Shah. He has been Pakistan’s most consistent bowler lately, with great control over his line and length,” he said.

Rauf surprisingly didn’t mention Shaheen Shah Afridi in the list. When asked about the same, he said the pacer hasn’t been seen at his peak since his knee injury.

“A couple of years ago, I would have definitely included Shaheen Shah Afridi. At his peak, he was one of the best fast bowlers, regularly clocking 145+ kmph and swinging the ball beautifully. But after his knee injury, he has lost pace, now bowling around 134-135 kmph and isn’t swinging the ball as effectively. His bowling action has also changed post-injury, affecting his ability to take early wickets with the new ball. His strength was always his ability to move the ball in the air, which troubled top-order batsmen [batters] like Rohit Sharma. At the moment, though, he seems to be struggling, and I feel Naseem Shah is the more dangerous bowler for Pakistan,” he said.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is just around the corner, with every team hoping to hit the ground running when the eight-team tournament begins from February 19. One such team that would be the cynosure of everyone’s eyes will be host Pakistan, captained by Mohammad Rizwan. They enter the competition as defending champions, after winning the last edition held in 2017 in England. But do they shape up as one of the strong contenders to win the title? Here’s a SWOT analysis from IANS of the Pakistan team that is set to begin their campaign with the tournament opener against New Zealand.

Strength: Pakistan possess players who can be game-changers on a particular day. Fakhar Zaman, back in the ODI team after the 2023 World Cup, can change the game around in a jiffy. If Babar Azam discovers his good form, then Pakistan will surely feel good about posting a huge total.

Skipper Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha are in great touch which augurs well for Pakistan. Their pace-heavy attack comprising Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf (if fit for the tournament) and Mohammad Hasnain adds the reliability and winning factor to the team.

Weakness: With Saim Ayub out due to an ankle fracture and Abdullah Shafique omitted due to poor form, Pakistan have a new-look opening combination with Fakhar and Babar, which hasn’t fired so far. With the first ten overs being crucial to post a big total, the Fakhar-Babar opening combination is a weak link.

Moreover, Pakistan left everyone baffled by picking one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed, who is injury-prone. With neither Sufiyan Muqeem nor Shadab Khan picked, it means Pakistan’s squad balance is a bit off. The lower order of Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah is another weak link as they haven’t done anything substantial at the international level.

Opportunity: Pakistan last hosted a multi-nation cricket tournament when the 1996 World Cup was on, including the final held in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Now 29 years later, Pakistan are back to being the host for an ICC event via the return of the Champions Trophy.

Though Pakistan will host 11 out of 15 matches in its three renovated venues in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, it is still a considerable achievement for a country who hasn’t hosted big-ticket sporting events due to violent acts, especially the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan Test team.

If Pakistan step up in both on and off-field activities during the Champions Trophy, it can pave the way for more sporting events to come its way in a country which has been battling economic and political instability.

Threat: As the hosts’ of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s performances will be closely watched by people at home and all over the world. While teams can thrive under this pressure, it can also cause them to crumble under it and make an early exit from the competition. With Pakistan carrying that unpredictable tag, it means their performances can go either way and that’s a big threat for them.

The Champions Trophy begins from Wednesday after a turbulent build-up that saw the tournament split between Pakistan and Dubai, and with England facing calls to boycott their match against Afghanistan. The event, regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game, runs until March 9 and is the first global cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades. India’s matches will however be played in the United Arab Emirates after the sport’s financial superpower refused to visit their neighbour over long-standing political tensions.

A month-long impasse ended in December when the International Cricket Council said that India would play their games in Dubai.

It raises the prospect of the final of the eight-nation showpiece taking place there, rather than in Pakistan, if India get that far — a good chance given they are favourites to lift the trophy. 

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who only face off in international competitions because of the politics, clash in Dubai on February 23 in the group phase.

England play Afghanistan three days later in Lahore in a match that has been met with a backlash in some quarters in Britain.

More than 160 British politicians called for a boycott in response to the Taliban government’s ban on women in sport.

England Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson vowed the match would go ahead, saying a “coordinated international response” by the cricket community would achieve more than unilateral action.  

The Champions Trophy will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

Karachi and Rawalpindi are the other Pakistani cities that will stage games.

Pakistan became a no-go area for foreign teams after the visiting Sri Lankan squad were attacked by gunmen in 2009, leaving eight people dead and wounding several touring players.

But with improved security across most of the country, international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2020.

India favourites

India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh form Group A while Australia, England, Afghanistan and South Africa are in Group B. 

Two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals in Dubai and Lahore.

Pakistan are reigning champions, having defeated India in the final in 2017 at The Oval in London.

But it is two-time winners India who are favourites, with superstar batsman Virat Kohli hoping to overcome a poor run of form by his sky-high standards.

It could be the 36-year-old’s last hurrah on the international stage, with captain Rohit Sharma also likely to retire after the tournament.

“India is playing superb all-round cricket and so are among the favourites for the Champions Trophy,” former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar told AFP.

“The other teams, in my opinion, to watch out for are defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.”

India will however be missing ace pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia beat hosts India to win the one-day World Cup in 2023 but they are missing several key players.

Their formidable pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all out.

Coupled with the sudden retirement from ODIs of Marcus Stoinis and injury to Mitchell Marsh — both key all-rounders — and Australia suddenly look vulnerable.

They were well beaten 2-0 in Sri Lanka in a two-match series last week. Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan will open the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy with a match against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.

The co-hosts are unpredictable, as they showed in the last edition of the tournament, losing to India by 124 runs in the opening match before winning the final against them by 180 runs.

England go into the competition under a cloud, having been outclassed by India in both a T20 and one-day series in the lead-up.

With quality spinners led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan are dangerous.

They shocked England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year. 

Pakistan suffered defeat in the final of the tri-nation series at the hands of New Zealand, just five days before the two teams square off again in the opening match of Champions Trophy 2025. It was Pakistan’s second defeat to New Zealand in the tri-nation series, and once again saw concern rise regarding Pakistan’s opening. In particular, former Pakistan cricketers have now spoken up about Babar Azam‘s new role as an opener. The likes of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Hafeez – both members of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy-winning side – criticising the decision to make Babar open.

Babar has been promoted to open the batting following an injury to young 22-year-old opener Saim Ayub and the poor form of Abdullah Shafique. However, Babar hasn’t been able to fire either.

Babar has failed to cross 30 in each of his three innings in the tri-nation series, and the calls to send him back to No. 3 have only increased.

Former pacer Mohammad Amir has mentioned that Babar must be allowed to utilise his strengths.

“As I have said before, if I don’t get to bowl with the new ball, I won’t be able to utilize my strength. Similarly, Babar’s strength is at No. 3, where he knows how to construct an innings. The role of an opener in T20s is different from that in ODIs and Tests,” Amir told Pakistan-based outlet Geo News.

“He has to do it in phases. In 10 overs, you have to take a chance. In the next 10 overs, you have to build a partnership. The role is different. Babar, yes, he’s a big player. But I think he should have played at number 3. This is his strength. Yes, when you’re stuck, you try different things. Maybe I should take runs from here or there,” Amir explained.

Babar Azam became the joint-quickest man to reach 6,000 ODI runs in the tri-nation series final, but the bulk of his tally has come at No. 3.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez listed three names whom Pakistan should consider selecting so that Babar can play at his usual No. 3.

1- Shaan Masood

2- Imam-ul-Haq

3- Abdullah Shafique

Take any one as opener & let Babar Azam play at no 3 in Champions trophy. Make things easier for everyone.

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) February 14, 2025

“Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique. Take any one as opener and let Babar Azam play at No. 3 in the Champions Trophy. Make things easier for everyone,” pledged Hafeez, in a post on X.

Pakistan begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 19 against New Zealand, before taking on arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai. The final group game against Bangladesh is on February 27.