The coveted ICC (International Cricket Council) event Champions Trophy (CT25) will be returning to the international cricket calendar after a seven-year hiatus and will kick off with the co-hosts Pakistan (PAK) taking on New Zealand (NZ) in Karachi. The tournament also marks the first ICC event being hosted in Pakistan(PAK) in over 29 years. Pakistan and New Zealand are in Group A along with India, and Bangladesh. It is a huge challenge for both teams and the winner shall have a step forward towards the semifinals.
This tournament holds special significance for Pakistan, marking their first time hosting a major global cricket event since 1996. Both teams are eager to start their campaigns on a positive note.
PAK vs NZ : Previous Performances
Both teams have had some good recent form to go on in the 50-over format. Pakistan won three ODI series in a row, all of them away from home, before finishing runners-up in a tri-series hosted by them, all of this in the last 6 months.
The two sides recently met in the Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan in the leadup to the Champions Trophy. The Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand showed great form, winning all their fixtures including the final to take the trophy.
In the two games that the Men in Green faced off against the Black Caps, the latter came out on the top by five wickets in the group encounter and by 78 runs in the final. While this gives a much-needed boost to New Zealand, it leaves Pakistan with some work to do ahead of the Champions Trophy opener.
New Zealand’s ODI calendar has been sporadic compared to Pakistan’s. New Zealand played only one ODI series in 2024, where they lost to Sri Lanka away from home. New Zealand then beat the same opponents in an ODI series at home in 2025, before enjoying an unbeaten run to win the tri-series hosted in Pakistan.
Pakistan will look to settle some scores as the venue where they lost the tri-series final to New Zealand is the same as the one where they will open their campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan will also want to make amends for the fact that they have never beaten New Zealand in the mega ICC event.
PAK vs NZ : Head to Head
New Zealand and Pakistan have faced each other in 118 matches in ODI. Out of these 118 games , New Zealand have won 53 whereas Pakistan have come out victorious on 61 occasions . 3 matches ended without a result. 1 match ended with tied. New Zealand ended a recent run of Pakistan dominance in ODI matches between the sides by winning three of the last four encounters. Prior to that, Pakistan had claimed victory in seven of the last nine completed matches.
| Matches Played | 118 |
| Won by Pakistan | 61 |
| Won by New Zealand | 53 |
| Tied | 01 |
| No Result | 03 |
| First-ever Fixture | Feb 11, 1973 |
| Most-recent Fixture | Feb 14, 2025 |
PAK vs NZ : Pitch Report
The pitch at Karachi’s National Stadium is expected to aid a high-scoring contest. IF the past is any indication, pacers might receive some early assistance. But as the game progresses, the surface is likely to favour batters. Spinners could find some grip on the surface when it starts deteriorating.
It’s been a high-scoring venue, with the average first innings score of 289. Of the 19 venues that have hosted at least six ODIs since January 2023, it is the second highest scoring venue after Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. However, there is no distinct advantage for winning the toss. In the last eight games played at the venue, teams batting first and bowling first have won four times each.
The weather forecast for Karachi for Wednesday predicts a bright and sunny day. Temperatures are likely to hover in the 20s, which will be ideal playing conditions for both teams.
PAK vs NZ : Big Picture : Host Nation Pakistan aims to grab eyeballs as major ICC cricket returns to Pakistan after 29 long years
Cricket has long been Pakistan’s most potent expression of nationalism. Despite systemic challenges and internal rifts, an endless conveyor belt of talent continues to fuel the attractiveness of the sport. Cricket remains Pakistan’s most visible global identity, and the PCB was never going to let the chance to host the 2025 Champions Trophy slip away. The administrators have taken their due, with four recent chiefs of the board squeezing some space for themselves on a front-row couch in a show of unity, to welcome the tournament home.
The stadiums are ready, security clearances are in place, and for now, the frosty relationship with the BCCI is on hold. Wall of fame has been unveiled, past greats have been celebrated and amidst all the loud fanfare of what’s turned into a national project, quite ironically, the two most influential figures of Pakistan’s cricket history – Imran Khan and Shaiza Khan – have been given a quiet miss.
Nonetheless, finally, after a 29-year wait, Pakistan is set to host its first ICC tournament. The attention, for a few weeks at least, will shift from the off-field shenanigans to the performances of the Mohammad Rizwan-led side. The captain and coach have managed to hold their positions for over three months, a feat in itself, and the buzz is undeniable. But for a cricket-loving nation, nothing short of a title will suffice. The championship has to be defended.
In that bid, they’ve made some interesting selection calls ahead of the tournament, and tested it against South Africa and New Zealand briefly. Only one frontline spinner, an alteration in the batting position of their best batter and two surprising inclusions. These shuffles have been par for course for a while but the most interesting change has been their aggressive approach with the bat.
It may have not helped them win the tri-series, but it did help them chase down their record total, and most significantly, promises to offer an entertaining showcase of their cricketing potential.
Standing in their way first are New Zealand, a team that has beaten them in the last two encounters in the tri-series, and a team that has played seven ODIs since the start of 2023 at the same venue. For all of Pakistan’s familiarity to home conditions, it is the Mitchell Santner-led team that walks into the contest with head-to-head form on their side as well as ample familiarity to the challenges of the venue.
That said, New Zealand have their own set of challenges to deal with after having been hit though with a slew of injuries just days ahead of the tournament. Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears have been ruled out, and Rachin Ravindra is yet to return after being hit on his head while fielding.
Given the format of the tournament which leaves little room for error, for warm-ups and second chances, both teams would have hoped to have settled more in their preparations. But with the tournament finally here, there’s no more time for adjustments. The stage is set, narratives are in motion and only performances on matchday will matter.
PAK vs NZ : Vital Stats that matters
- Mohammad Rizwan needs two dismissals to complete 100 dismissals in ODIs.
- Babar Azam needs 23 runs to reach 14,500 runs in international cricket.
- Naseem Shah needs 5 wickets to reach 50 ODI wickets.
- Salman Agha needs 85 runs to reach 1,000 runs in ODIs.
- Glenn Phillips needs 65 runs to reach 1,000 ODI runs.
- Rachin Ravindra needs 30 runs to reach 1,000 runs in ODIs.
- Lahore’s National Stadium has hosted 8 matches since the start of 2023, seven of being played between Pakistan and New Zealand
- Devon Conway has struggled against Naseem Shah, getting thrice in three games against the pacer
- Tom Latham, who hasn’t been in the best of forms in 2025, has stroked three fifties across seven innings at the National Stadium
PAK vs NZ : Team News
Pakistan :
Pakistan kick off their Champions Trophy campaign with a firm test against New Zealand in Karachi. The hosts have a stacked squad with talent in all departments with Mohammed Rizwan leading the charge. Rizwan’s side was tipped by former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Khan, who won the competition in 2017, to defend their title in 2025.
Pakistan have key match-winning players in the form of Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, both former captains, but the nation’s ability to implode at any stage in any match and any series has led to a reputation that precedes them.
The off-field turbulence does not help, either. Gary Kirsten was appointed as white-ball coach last year but soon quit and was replaced by Test-match coach, Jason Gillespie. The former Australian bowler soon followed his South African predecessor out the door, having both appeared to be popular figures with the players.
Pakistan enter the tournament as the defending champions, having clinched the title in 2017. Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, they boast a balanced squad with a potent mix of experienced batsmen and a formidable pace attack. The home advantage is a big plus for them but recent results against the Kiwis are not encouraging for them
Haris Rauf, who had sustained a muscular strain in his lower chest wall during the recently-concluded tri-series, was declared available for the opening game of Champions Trophy. He has also resumed practice in the nets.
Pakistan Predicted XI : Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.
New Zealand :
On the other hand, New Zealand have been plagued with injury issues especially in the bowling department, with Lockie Ferguson (foot injury) joining Ben Sears in being ruled out of the tournament. The experienced Matt Henry will now be at the helm of the pace attack, with the onus on replacements, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, to take their opportunity and help the Kiwis make their mark on the event.
New Zealand, who lifted the Champions Trophy in 2000, were defeated finalists in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final and can never be written off at major tournaments. Although not boasting the populace of any of the other major teams at the tournament and beyond, the Kiwis relentlessly churn out talent that impresses on the global stage and in domestic competitions around the world.
The Kiwis are currently ranked fourth in the world, so must be considered a serious contender but topping the two favourites, as well as World Cup-holders Australia, and vanquishing their 2019 conquerors, England, will be a tall order.
Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the tournament. Kyle Jamieson has been roped in as his replacement. Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra, who had sustained a face injury during the tri-series has resumed his practise, but his availability is yet to be confirmed.
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, faces the challenge of integrating new talents following the retirement of key bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult. However, the return of seasoned batsman Kane Williamson adds depth to their batting lineup. Their recent victory in the tri-nation series against Pakistan and South Africa will be a big boost.
New Zealand Predicted XI : Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk.), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson.
PAK vs NZ Fantasy XI : Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk),Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
PAK vs NZ : Key Players to look for
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) :
The all-rounder has been in incredible form with the bat as he finished as Pakistan’s top run-getter in the Tri-Nation series against New Zealand and South Africa.
Agha scored 219 runs across three innings at an average of 73 and a strike rate of 100 with a highest score of 134, which came in Pakistan’s highest-ever ODI chase. Along with Mohammed Rizwan, Salman helped his side chase down 352 against South Africa.
Salman is also handy with the ball as a part-time spin option, making him a valuable asset for Pakistan.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand) :
A modern-day great of the game, Kane Williamson showed great touch in the Tri-Nation series, being the second-highest run scorer.
Williamson scored 225 runs across three innings at an astounding average of 112.50, striking at 89.64 with a highest score of 133* against South Africa.
His crucial knocks throughout the series helped New Zealand secure the trophy, giving his side much-needed momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy.
PAK vs NZ : Match Prediction
Although Pakistan will be in front of home supporters and have familiar conditions, it remains a challenge for them in front of New Zealand. The Blackcaps dominated Pakistan in the tri-nation series and will be optimistic for the same in the Champions Trophy as well. It will be a close encounter, but New Zealand just have the edge over the hosts.