Champions Trophy 2025: PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Tips, Playing 11, Pitch Report & Head-to-Head Records Match 1, Group A

Match Preview 

It is the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 and the game will feature defending champions and hosts Pakistan (PAK). Mohammad Rizwan and his men will take on New Zealand (NZ) just days after playing the same team in the finals of the Tri-series. It was Mitchell Santner’s side that came out on top with a five-wicket win in the finals.

Pakistan (PAK) won the title in 2017 by beating India in the finals by 180 runs. The next eight years have seen the Men in Green show inconsistent form in the ODI format. After Rizwan took over as the captain, results have started to get better. Series wins in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa have been the biggest highlights. Despite losing the Tri-series finals, there are a lot of positives for the hosts to capitalise on. 

New Zealand (NZ) couldn’t have asked for a better preparation ahead of the Champions Trophy. Kiwis easily beat Pakistan to win the Tri-series and went through the entire campaign unbeaten. Mitchell Santner’s batters put up a great show but it is the bowling that is a worry. Trent Boult and Tim Southee are no longer part of the team, while Lockie Ferguson is out injured. 

PAK vs NZ Match Details

Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025, Match 1 

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Date and Time: 19th February 2024, 2:30 PM

Live Coverage Details: Star Sports (TV), Jio Hotstar (WEB and OTT)

PAK vs NZ Head-to-Head 

Matches: 118

Wins for Pakistan: 61

Wins for New Zealand: 53

No-result: 3

Tied Match-1

National Stadium, Karachi Pitch Report

National Stadium in Karachi has so far hosted 56 ODI matches and as per the recent trends it is a ground where huge scores can be made. The team that wins the toss will want to bowl first as chasing becomes easier, as seen during the recent Tri-series matches. Dew will be a factor in the second half of the game, spinners will enjoy decent purchase when the ball gets a bit softer. With the pitches expected to be fresh fans can enjoy high scoring contest and with the electric fast outfield there will be lots of boundaries scored.

PAK vs NZ Predicted XI

Pakistan: 

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C and WK), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed 

New Zealand:

Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, William O'Rourke, Jacob Duffy

PAK vs NZ top five batters to watch out for

The home team has a red-hot Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order. Zaman has been in the runs and has been taking the attack to the opposition with the bat. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha will be the two other batters to watch out for from the Pakistan camp. Both Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha have been in great form with the bat in recent times. For New Zealand, Devon Conway has done well as an opener and scored key runs during the recent Tri-series. Kane Williamson is another batter who has scored runs with relative ease to showcase his form going into the tournament. 

PAK vs NZ top five bowlers to watch out for  

Shaheen Afridi might have lost out his pace but his ability to trouble the batters with the new ball remains intact. Afridi picked six wickets during the recent tri-series at home. Naseem Shah might have picked just three wickets but the 22-year-old has been a constant threat with the new ball. Matt Henry and William O'Rourke will be the key bowlers for New Zealand within the first ten overs. The biggest threat for Pakistan will come from Mitchell Santner, who has the knack of picking key wickets and also bowling economical spells. 

Here's PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction for Match 1 

Suggested playing No. 1 for PAK vs NZ Dream11 Fantasy Cricket

M Rizwan, D Conway, K Williamson, D Mitchell (VC), F Zaman, A Salman (C), M Santner, G Phillips, M Bracewell, M Henry, N Shah

Suggested playing No. 2 for PAK vs NZ Dream11 Fantasy Cricket

M Rizwan (VC), D Conway, K Williamson (C), D Mitchell, F Zaman, A Salman, M Santner, G Phillips, S Afridi, M Henry, N Shah