Pakistan are hosting an ICC event for the first time in almost three decades. The Champions Trophy provides a stage for an imperfect team to perform.

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

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.

The team landed in two separate groups. The first batch, which included captain Steve Smith, coaches, and support staff, arrived from Colombo via Dubai

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 in Karachi

Having waited nearly three decades to host an ICC tournament, Pakistan cricket fans endured one of their worst days in recent memory as their team were completely outplayed in the opening match of the Champions Trophy.

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.

Pakistan's largest city was abuzz with anticipation and apprehension Wednesday as the hosts played the opening match of the nation's first major international cricket tournament in three decades. Pakistan last held a major international tournament as World Cup co-hosts with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.