Despite the Pakistan cricket team losing with a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the opening match on Wednesday, The ICC Champions Trophy brought a charged atmosphere to Karachi since it marked a return to Pakistan after nearly 30 years.
A crowd of 29,300 filled the stadium, just short of its total 34,000 capacity, showing their enthusiasm for international cricket’s comeback. President Asif Ali Zardari attended the match, while a fly-past by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) added to the occasion.
New Zealand put on a dominant performance, with Tom Latham scoring an unbeaten 118 and Will Young making 102, helping their team score 320/5 in 50 overs. Pakistan, in response, faltered despite Babar Azam’s steady 64 off 90 balls and a late 69-run effort from Khushdil Shah. The entire team was bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Read more: Ahmed Shehzad Calls It Out: Pakistan Cricket Needs a Serious Wake-Up Call
With this defeat, Pakistan now looks ahead to a must-win match against India on Sunday in Dubai. India will play their first game against Bangladesh on Thursday, choosing to stay away from Pakistan due to security concerns.
This marks Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC event since the 1996 World Cup. The tournament is spread across three cities. The top two teams from each group, A and B, will advance to the semi-finals.
Though Pakistan lost, the passionate crowd and the grand occasion signalled a major moment for cricket’s return to the country.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates