The Champion’s Trophy is starting today. In the opening match, host Pakistan will face New Zealand. Apart from being the host, it is also the defending champion.
Champions Trophy 2025 Kicks Off with Pakistan vs New Zealand Clash
Pakistan is in Group A along with New Zealand, India and Bangladesh. According to the rules of the Champions Trophy, all the teams in the group will play against each other once. The top 2 teams will directly reach the semi-finals. In this way, there is no room for mistake for any team. Defeat in one match can knock it out of the tournament. In such a situation, the first match against the Kiwi team is very important for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Recent Struggles Against New Zealand
Recently, Pakistan had to face defeat twice in a week against New Zealand. In the triangular series on home ground, the Kiwis defeated it first in the group round and then also defeated it in the final. In such a situation, the Pakistani team is desperate to take revenge and it would like to start with a win.
What Happens If Pakistan Loses the Opening Match?
If New Zealand wins this match against Pakistan, then Mohammad Rizwan’s team will be in trouble. In such a situation, it will have to win its remaining two matches at all costs. On February 23, it has to play against India in Dubai and against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27. It will be very difficult for Pakistan to win against India. If Team India defeats it, then after two defeats in two matches, the host team may be out of the tournament in the first round itself.
How Pakistan’s Defeat Could Benefit Team India
India’s Semi-Final Path Becomes Easier: If Pakistan loses to New Zealand in the first match, then the path to the semi-finals will become easier for Team India. It will get closer to the semi-finals by defeating Bangladesh on February 20 and Pakistan on February 23.
Can India Overcome Its New Zealand Jinx?
Team India’s record in ICC events against New Zealand has not been good. Even if Rohit Sharma‘s team loses to the Kiwis, it will reach the semi-finals by winning over Bangladesh and Pakistan. Overall we can say that Pakistan’s defeat in the first match will be beneficial for India.
