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

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 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.

Pakistan and New Zealand also face off in the first game of Champions Trophy 2025.© AFP

Pakistan vs New Zealand LIVE Streaming, Tri-Series Final: Pakistan take on New Zealand in the final of the tri-series, in what will be both team’s final ODI before the Champions Trophy 2025 gets underway. Incidentally, the two sides play again on February 19, to kickstart the Champions Trophy. New Zealand have picked up two dominant wins in the tri-series. On the other hand, hosts Pakistan chased down a target of over 350 against South Africa to enter the final, thanks to brilliant centuries by captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha. A win for Pakistan would see them win their third ODI series in a row, after away wins in Australia and South Africa.

Pakistan vs New Zealand LIVE Streaming, Tri-Nation Series Final 2024-25 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch?

When will the Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match take place?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match will take place on Friday, February 14 (IST).

Where will the Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match be held?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match will be held at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan.

What time will the Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match start?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final 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, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match?

The Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI Tri-Nation Series final match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

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

Shaheen Afridi had a heated exchange with Matthew Breetzke© X (Twitter)

Pakistan notched a memorable win against South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday. Chasing a humongous target of 353, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha played two memorable innings of 122 and 134 ad Pakistan win with one over to spare. However, those were not the only aspects of the match which had everyone’s focus. In the first innings, several Pakistan players like Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam celebrated aggressively against South African batters. 

The acts were termed as ‘shameless’ by social media users.

Shaheen shah Afridi is so immature even after playing international cricket for almost 5 years. pic.twitter.com/YzemYxn6Hb

— Cricket stan (@Cricobserver21) February 12, 2025

This kind of behaviour and that too against THE TEMBA BAVUMA?

What kind of shameless you guys are PCT?

pic.twitter.com/7RvsBRobCQ

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) February 12, 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken note of the acts and punished the trio. “ICC has imposed fines on the three players for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their tri-nation series match against South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday,” the ICC said in a release.

“Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.12 of the Code, which pertains to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”

The incident occurred in the 28th over of South Africa’s innings when Shaheen deliberately obstructed batter Matthew Breetzke as he ran a single, resulting in physical contact and a heated exchange between the two players.

In another incident, Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10 percent of their match fees for celebrating too closely to batter Temba Bavuma following his run-out in the 29th over.

“Both players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the Code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match,” the ICC said.

In addition to the financial penalties, all three players have received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records. None of the players had any prior offences in the last 24 months.

All players have accepted the sanctions imposed and there will be no formal hearings regarding the incidents.

Shaheen Afridi clashes with Matthew Breetzke; (right) Saud Shakeel celebrates Temba Bavuma’s dismissal.© X/Twitter

Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri Series 3rd ODI, Live Updates© AFP