PAK vs NZ 1st Match Live Streaming – ICC CT25 February 19, 2025
The Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on 19th February 2024. After 1996, this is the first ICC event that Pakistan will host. After almost 3 decades, Pakistan is hosting an ICC event. The event has eight teams competing for the trophy. Hosts and Defending Champions Pakistan will begin their title defense against New Zealand in Karachi. Check the preview of Pakistan vs New Zealand in detail below:
Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy Match Preview
With just eight teams in the event and 3 group matches, teams look for a win early on to boost their confidence. Both Pakistan and New Zealand will like the track at National Stadium Karachi as the pitch usually supports the batters.
Pacers can also get movement early on. With Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah, Haris Rauf, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and many others, both sides will try to get the advantage with pace. Pakistan will have the crowd advantage, but the Kiwis are no stranger to Pakistani conditions as they have toured Pakistan a lot in recent times, including the tri-series just before Champions Trophy 2025.
With conditions suitable for spinners, both teams will look to play specialist spinners to cover that part of the side as well.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy Playing XI
Pakistan
With no Saim Ayub, Pakistan has looked for a different opening pair. They have not pressed the panic button at all and it is likely that the rest of the lineup will remain stable. This will be Pakistanโs first major event under Mohammad Rizwanโs captaincy.
The returning Fakhar Zaman who has shown glimpse of his explosive batting again in recently concluded ILT20 series, While inclusion of all-rounders Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah give the Pakistan side a boost.
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (Capt and WK), Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan/Irfan Niazi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem.
New Zealand
Led by Mitchell Santner, the Kiwis will surely miss the expert Trent Boult in their team, but still, they have plenty of experience in the form of Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Santner himself. Rachin Ravindra will also be crucial in the subcontinent conditions.
New Zealand will be banking on fast bowling duo of Henry and Ferguson as both can be lethal at the back end and in middle overs with their variations.
Will Young/Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman/Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Lockie Ferguson, William OโRourke and Matt Henry.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Venue
The stadiums of Pakistan have been upgraded for this event. The event opener between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.
Toss
Bowling first is usually preferred at National Bank Cricket Arena due to the favorable conditions for batters. It is easier to chase at this venue. Also team bowling under lights may struggle with due factor.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Head to Head Record
New Zealand vs Pakistan Record in ODI’s
Pakistan and New Zealand have faced off multiple times in ODI cricket. Pakistan have won 61 matches against New Zealand while the kiwis have defeated them 51 times. A total of 116 games have been played between the two nations in ODI format with one game ending as a tie.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Champions Trophy Record
Interestingly, in Champions Trophy history, Pakistan have never defeated New Zealand. They have lost to them on all 3 occasions (2000, 2006 & 2009).