• Fans express disappointment over empty stands in Karachi during the opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025.

  • The tournament opened with an clash between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Champions Trophy 2025: Fans express frustration over empty stands in Karachi for PAK vs NZ opening game
Pakistan vs New Zealand (Image Source: X)

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finally got underway in Pakistan on February 19, marking the country’s return as a host for an ICC event after nearly three decades. The tournament opened with an clash between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. However, despite the historical significance of the occasion, the crowd turnout at the venue was noticeably low, sparking widespread discussions and disappointment on social media.

Pakistan’s return as an ICC event host after 29 years

Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996 when they were one of the co-hosts of the ODI World Cup. They were initially slated to host the 2009 Champions Trophy, but after the tragic terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore that year, the tournament was relocated to South Africa. For years, Pakistan were forced to play its home matches in the UAE due to security concerns, with top international teams reluctant to tour the country.

In recent years, Pakistan have gradually regained its status as a host nation, with bilateral series taking place against teams like Australia, England and New Zealand. The Champions Trophy 2025 was expected to be a landmark moment, officially marking Pakistan’s full-fledged return to the international hosting circuit. However, the underwhelming attendance at Karachi’s National Stadium has raised concerns about the reception of the tournament.

Low crowd turnout sparks criticism

Ahead of the Champions Trophy, excitement was high, with fans eagerly awaiting the return of a global cricket tournament to Pakistan. However, the turnout for the opening match failed to meet expectations. Large sections of the stands remained empty, creating an unusual atmosphere for a high-profile tournament opener. The lack of spectators was evident even during the toss, where Mohammad Rizwan, leading Pakistan, won the toss and elected to field first against New Zealand.

Cricket enthusiasts and analysts took to social media to express their disappointment over the lack of a full house. Many questioned why the tournament’s opening match, featuring the host nation, did not witness a packed stadium. Some blamed ticket pricing, while others pointed to logistical issues such as traffic congestion and weekday scheduling. Concerns were also raised about the marketing and promotion of the event, with some fans arguing that the PCB should have done more to ensure a greater turnout.

Also READ: PAK vs NZ, Champions Trophy 2025: Here’s why Rachin Ravindra is not playing today’s match

Early drama on the field as Pakistan suffers injury scare

Despite the subdued atmosphere, the action on the field began with early drama. Pakistan suffered an immediate setback in the second ball of the match when Fakhar Zaman appeared to injure himself while chasing down a boundary. The extent of his injury remains unclear, but it was a worrying moment for the team, which is already dealing with squad concerns. On the other hand, New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, entered the match without their young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who was left out of the playing XI. Pakistan, meanwhile, fielded a full-strength squad, with Haris Rauf deemed fit to play after recovering from a minor injury.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Head coaches and coaching staff for each participating team

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