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Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday (February 19) at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Pakistan’s likely playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand. (Picture Credit: AP)
Defending champions Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday, February 19. The tournament’s opener is scheduled to take place at National Stadium in Karachi. After losing back-to-back matches against New Zealand in the tri-series last week, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side would like to settle the scores on Wednesday and get their campaign off to a flying start.
Despite failing to fire in his last three matches as opening batter, Babar Azam is all set to continue at the top for Pakistan and will open the innings with Fakhar Zaman. The hosts will have high expectations from the left-handed batter who rose to prominence after scoring a century against India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy.
Kamran Ghulam is likely to get preference over Usman Khan for the No. 3 batter’s position, and captain Mohammad Rizwan in all likelihood will come out to bat at four for the Pakistani team. Saud Shakeel and white-ball vice-captain Salman Ali Agha will be key players for Pakistan in the middle order, and one out of Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, and Faheem Ashraf will get a chance to bat at No. 7 for the Men in Green.
Despite his inconsistent form, Shaheen Shah Afridi is all set to lead Pakistan’s bowling attack and will have Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf for support. Rauf has reportedly recovered from an injury that he suffered while playing against the Black Caps during the first match of the Tri-series in Lahore on February 8.
If the team management decides not to risk him for the first match, Mohammad Hasnain could get a chance. Abrar Ahmed is the only specialist spinner picked by Pakistani selectors for the eight-team tournament, and the mystery bowler will lead the spin attack.
Pakistan’s likely playing XI for the Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 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.
Suspense over Rachin Ravindra
As far as the New Zealand team is concerned, it remains to be seen if star batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is available for selection or not. Rachin suffered a freak injury while fielding during New Zealand’s first match of the Tri-series against Pakistan on February 8, and he has been out of action since then.
New Zealand’s likely playing XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke
New Zealand’s Champions Trophy 2025 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, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
- Location :
Karachi, Pakistan
