- The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is going to start with the Pakistan vs New Zealand (PAK vs NZ) match. Both the teams will face each other on the Karachi ground on 19 February. The team led by Mohammad Rizwan is taking advantage of the home conditions and will win this match….
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is going to start with the Pakistan vs New Zealand (PAK vs NZ) match. Both the teams will face each other on the Karachi ground on 19 February. The team led by Mohammad Rizwan will try to win this clash by taking advantage of the home conditions. But it will not be easy for them to challenge Mitchell Santner’s team. Both the teams can be seen giving a tough challenge to each other in the PAK vs NZ match, so let’s know about some information related to the match….
Pakistan-New Zealand clashed before the Champions Trophy
Before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a triangular series was played between South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan. In its title match, Pakistan faced New Zealand (PAK vs NZ), in which Mohammad Rizwan’s team had to face a humiliating defeat. Batting first, Pakistan was all out for 242 runs. In response, the Kiwi team won by five wickets by putting 243 runs on the scoreboard in 45.2 overs. At the same time, now Mitchell Santner and company would like to enter the Champions Trophy 2025 with the same rhythm.
New Zealand suffered major setbacks
New Zealand has suffered two major setbacks before the start of the Champions Trophy 2025. Star players Benjamin Sears and Lockie Ferguson have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson have replaced both of these players. On the other hand, if we talk about Pakistan, Sam Ayub will also not be available for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury. In his absence, the responsibility of batting will be on the shoulders of Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman.
A war can be seen between these players
Dwayne Conway vs Shaheen Shah Afridi
In the PAK vs NZ match, a battle can be seen between Dwayne Conway and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Both these batsmen will give their best performance and try their best to make their team win. The clash between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Dwayne Conway will double the excitement of the match. Dwayne Conway’s power was fierce in the recently played triangular series. In such a situation, Shaheen Shah Afridi would like to reduce Pakistan’s difficulties by getting him out early.
Kane Williamson vs Abrar Ahmed
Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson also had a good performance in the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa. Batting explosively, he scored 225 runs with the help of a century and a half-century and was the high-scorer of the series. Spinner Abrar Ahmed would like to give a big blow to New Zealand by dismissing him.
Mohammad Rizwan vs Mitchell Santner
The third battle can be seen between Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan and Mitchell Santner. He will play as captain in an ICC tournament for the first time. He managed to score 171 runs in three matches of the tri-series. The responsibility of dismissing him in the PAK vs NZ match will be on New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner.
The condition of pitch and weather will be like this
The match between Pakistan and New Zealand (PAK vs NZ) will be held at Karachi Cricket Stadium in Karachi. If we talk about the report of this ground, then it is quite balanced. Here both the batsman and the bowler get help. On the other hand, if we look at the weather report, then Karachi may remain cloudy on Wednesday. However, there is no possibility of rain interruption. On February 19, the maximum temperature will be 29 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius. While the wind will blow at a speed of 21 kilometers per hour.
PAK vs NZ: Probable playing XI of both teams
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will O’Rourke, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell.