Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy Highlights: New Zealand defeat Pakistan by 60 runs

“We’ve been fortunate to face these opponents often, both at home and away over the years,” Santner remarked, highlighting New Zealand‘s familiarity with Pakistan. Meanwhile, Matt Henry returns to New Zealand’s attack from the tri-series final, Jacob Duffy has been dropped, and Ravindra will not feature.

Pakistan: 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), 5 Salman Ali Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed.

New Zealand: 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Nathan Smith, 11 Will O’Rourke.

At toss time, Mohammad Rizwan tossed the coin with Mitchell Santner calling, and Pakistan emerged victorious. Opting to bowl first, Rizwan noted that dew is expected to set in later tonight. “If we think of ourselves as defending champions, we will only put ourselves under pressure. We just want to keep it relaxed,” he said.

During his pitch report, Wahab Riaz described the conditions in Karachi as a “batting paradise” for today’s match.

Advice for Fast Bowlers
He urged the fast bowlers to remain disciplined by focusing on consistently delivering balls in the back-of-a-length area to curb the batsmen’s scoring opportunities.

Leading up to the tournament opener, all eyes are on Rachin Ravindra, who has been sidelined since a freak head injury in the first match of the recent ODI tri-series.

Danyal Rasool observed him batting at the nets yesterday, noting that he appeared to be in good shape despite his absence from competitive play.

However, New Zealand remains cautious about his full recovery and has yet to confirm whether he will be included in the starting XI for today’s match.

The toss is scheduled to take place at 2:00 PM, setting the stage for the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This crucial moment will determine which team gains the initial advantage, with both sides eager to capitalize on the opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

New Zealand enters the match with a well-balanced and experienced squad, led by Mitchell Santner, who will be crucial in both leadership and all-round performance. Will Young and Devon Conway are expected to provide a solid start at the top, while the ever-reliable Kane Williamson anchors the middle order alongside Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, who also takes up wicketkeeping duties.

Power-hitters Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell add firepower to the batting lineup, ensuring depth in the middle and lower order. The bowling attack, featuring Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, and Kyle Jamieson, brings a mix of pace and accuracy. All-rounders Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra further strengthen the squad.

Pakistan enters the match with a formidable playing XI, featuring a blend of experienced stars and promising talents. Leading the charge is Mohammad Rizwan, who takes on the dual role of captain and wicketkeeper. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman will be key at the top, providing stability and firepower in the batting lineup, while Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, and Tayyab Tahir add depth to the middle order.

In the all-rounder department, Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf offer balance with both bat and ball. Pakistan’s bowling attack boasts a lethal pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, alongside the spin options of Abrar Ahmed and additional support from Mohammad Hasnain. Usman Khan and Saud Shakeel complete the squad, giving Pakistan multiple options as they prepare to take on New Zealand in this highly anticipated Champions Trophy clash.

One of the Team India wicketkeepers—Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, or Sanju Samson—is reportedly upset with head coach Gautam Gambhir over his omission from the ODI playing XI. The player, who is not India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, suspects external influences behind the decision. With just two days left before India’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh in Dubai, tensions seem to be brewing within the squad.

PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy: Who will win today’s match? Here’s what AI thinks

Cricket fans in India can catch the live action on the Sony Sports Network for television broadcast. For those streaming online, the match will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.

The Pakistan and New Zealand match toss is scheduled for 2:00 PM IST, followed by the match kickoff at 2:30 PM IST.

Pakistan and New Zealand will clash in the much-anticipated opener of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday, February 19, at Karachi’s National Stadium. This match holds special significance for Pakistan, as it marks the nation’s return to hosting an ICC event after nearly three decades. Adding to the excitement, Pakistan enters the tournament as the reigning champions.

Get ready to experience every heartbeat of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as Pakistan kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Karachi. Stay tuned for real-time updates, exclusive insights, and in-depth analysis of every moment. Join us live and be part of the action as the excitement unfolds on the field!