Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the National Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday. Both of these teams recently met twice in the tri-series in the same conditions, and the Kiwis were able to come on top on both occasions.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of Pakistan: L W L W W
Pakistan were not at their best with the bat in the tri-series against New Zealand as they were bundled out for scores of 252 and 242. However, they were able to chase down the target of 353 against South Africa. The Men in Green would look to make the most of their own conditions.
Current form of New Zealand: W W W L W
New Zealand won the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa and the three wins against these two teams would have given them a lot of confidence. The Kiwis were able to come up with a collective batting show and they will look to carry the same form.
Head to Head: Matches: 118, Won by Pakistan: 61, Won by New Zealand: 53, NR: 3, Tied: 1
Players to watch out for: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Salman Ali Agha will hold the key for the hosts.
Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, Lockie Ferguson, and Will O’Rourke will be the crucial players for the Blackcaps.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
