Karachi/IBNS: Pakistan will face New Zealand in the opening match of Champions Trophy 2025, which is the first ICC tournament being hosted in the South Asian country since 1996.

Pakistan are the defending champions of the mega ICC tournament, which they won last in 2017.

The South Asian cricket giant lifted the trophy defeating India in the Champions Trophy 2017 final.

"As a player, I am very excited, and all the fans are excited," Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam said ahead of the clash.

"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 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.

Wedged in between those group games is a mega showdown with India in Dubai on February 23.

"When you play at home you get that edge as you know the conditions," Babar said.

"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 additional inputs from ICC)