Al Jazeera takes a close look at hosts Pakistan against New Zealand before their Champions Trophy opener on Wednesday.

Pakistan were fined 5 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in their Champions Trophy opener, adding to their struggles as they prepare for a high-stakes clash against India on February 22.

Follow live coverage of Pakistan vs New Zealand from the ICC Champions Trophy today. The ICC Test Championship sees nine teams compete across a two-year cycle of matches before a two-team final decides the winner.

ICC Champions Trophy favourites India to meet great rivals Pakistan in Group A; Shubman Gill, Babar Azam, New Zealands Rachin Ravindra and Bangladeshs Najmul Hossain Shanto among the players to watch in this pool;

Pakistan are hosting a global cricket tournament for the first time in three decades. New Zealand spoiled the party for Pakistan by staging a 60-run victory on Wednesday.Pakistan now faces a do-or-die situation as the team prepares for the blockbuster clash against arch-rivals India on Sunday in Dubai.

Centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young propelled New Zealand to 60-run victory over defending champion Pakistan in the opening game of the Champions Trophy on Wednesday. Latham smashed unbeaten 118 off 104 balls and Young hit 107 in New Zealand’s total of 320-5 after Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to field.

Pakistan’s 29-year wait to host a major International Cricket Council tournament ended Wednesday when it won the toss and elected to field in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand. Pakistan is the defending champion after beating archrival India in the final when the Champions Trophy was last played in 2017.

Pakistan's title defense in the Champions Trophy got off to a rocky start as Fakhar Zaman was forced off the field just two deliveries into their opening match against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday,