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The wait is over. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to burst into action, with Pakistan and New Zealand locking horns in the day-night opening encounter in Karachi today.

For the first time in nearly three decades, Pakistan is hosting a major ICC event. Let us not forget that the last time Pakistan participated in the Champions Trophy, they produced one of their greatest performances, crushing India in the final at the Oval, London in 2017. Now, with the home crowd behind them, the Men in Green have the opportunity to defend their title in conditions they know best.

But for Pakistan, this is much more than just cricket. The tournament holds major economic and diplomatic weight. Such high-level sporting events inject millions into the economy, boosting tourism and infrastructure.

For years, security concerns had forced Pakistan to host its home matches in the UAE. However, through a concerted effort by the PCB and other stakeholders, international teams have gradually returned, culminating in this landmark event.

The successful staging of the Champions Trophy will further strengthen Pakistan's case to host more global tournaments in the future, including the 2031 ICC Cricket World Cup. Of course, the build-up to the tournament has not been without its share of controversy as India's participation remained uncertain for months. Cricket has on occasions been held hostage by political narratives, so let's hope this Champions Trophy presents an opportunity to mend fences.

The tournament is thus a test for Pakistan on multiple fronts. While the eyes of the world will be on cricket, the success of this tournament will be determined by much more than the performances on the field.

It will be a measure of Pakistan's ability to navigate the complexities of global diplomacy, its readiness to host high-profile international events, and its capacity to capitalise on the economic opportunities such events bring.