Here's how many fans attended Pak vs NZ Champions Trophy opener in Karachi

New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs, but the crowd in Karachi's National Stadium stole the spotlight.

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Although the return of an ICC event to Pakistan was overshadowed by a clinical performance from New Zealand, who outplayed Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening game of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Wednesday, it was the crowd that stood out.

They turned up in great numbers, showing their enthusiasm as Pakistan celebrated the return of the ICC event after almost 30 years. According to AFP, the match saw 29,300 fans fill the stadium, which has a capacity of nearly 34,000.

New Zealand's brilliant hundreds from Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (102) propelled them to 320/5 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan struggled in their chase, being dismissed for 260 in 47.2 overs, despite a late surge from Khushdil Shah (69) and a cautious 64 off 90 balls from star batter Babar Azam.

The defeat left Pakistan with an uphill task in the tournament, with their next match against arch-rivals India on Sunday in Dubai. But despite the loss, the crowd at the stadium stood out as one of the highlights of the day.

President Asif Ali Zardari attended the match, as Pakistan hosted its first International Cricket Council event since the 1996 World Cup.

A fly-past by Pakistan's Air Force commemorated the occasion, while the crowd's enthusiasm was palpable, showcasing the revival of cricket in the country after years of international isolation.

For security reasons, Pakistan had not hosted an ICC event in nearly three decades. The return of international cricket, however, was celebrated by both fans and players, who were eager to show the world that the sport was back in full swing.

The tournament, which is being played across three cities in Pakistan, will also feature fixtures in Dubai, where India will play their opening match against Bangladesh on Thursday. India, citing security concerns, refused to visit Pakistan for the event.

Pakistan’s defeat in the opening game puts them in a precarious position in Group A, where they now face India and Bangladesh in their upcoming matches. Australia, England, Afghanistan, and South Africa make up Group B, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Despite the loss, the atmosphere at the stadium offered hope for the future of cricket in Pakistan, as fans look forward to more exciting matches in the ongoing Champions Trophy.