Karachi/IBNS: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the inaugural match of Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi on Wednesday.

Citing the reason behind option to bowl first, Rizwan said they would like to capitalise on the dew factor while chasing in the evening.

Haris Rauf has returned to the side, said Rizwan at the toss.

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.

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

Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in almost about 30 years.

The 50-over World Cup was the last ICC tournament which was hosted by Pakistan way back in 1996.