It took eight years for the ICC to mark the return of the Champions Trophy. The last time it took place was in 2017 and now in 2025, the coveted trophy has finally returned. Pakistan and Dubai are the co-hosts of the tournament this time around. In the opening match of the tournament from Group A, defending champions and co-hosts Pakistan will be taking on a formidable outfit of New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Both these teams were involved in a tri-series played in Pakistan. Besides New Zealand and hosts Pakistan, South Africa was the other team competing in the tri-series. New Zealand emerged the winners of the tri-series defeating Pakistan in the final held at the same venue by 5 wickets.
The tri-series is a bygone now. All the 8 top sides in the world are pulling up their socks to get their hands on the coveted ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the tournament returning after 8 long years, fans are definitely buzzing around. How the opening game of the tournament is going to unfold? Let’s discuss the same in this PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction.
PAK vs NZ ICC Champions Trophy Match 1: When & Where to Watch
Date: Friday, 19th February 2025
Time: 2:30 PM IST
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Live Streaming Details: The live streaming of all ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches will take place on Star Sports 1 (English) and Star Sports 3 (Hindi). The online live streaming will take place on the JioHotstar app.
PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The average number of runs scored in the first innings of the last two ODIs played at this venue was close to 300. With this number, one can assume that the surface here provides assistance to the batters. Bowlers have their go when the ball gets older as seamers did get some reverse swing in the latter part of the innings. All in all, batters are expected to shine more than the bowlers.
Talking about the weather, Karachi is expected to range from 30 to 32 degrees celsius. No rain is forecasted for this game.
PAK vs NZ Dream11: Team News
Pakistan Team News-
- Pakistan has named a 15-member squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
- Haris Rauf is yet to recover from a hip injury he sustained during the tri-series. However, the team management has not excluded him from the squad.
- Rauf may not play this game as he would take some more time to recover.
- Muhammad Hasnain seems to be the perfect candidate to replace Haris Rauf in the playing 11.
- Full Squad: Muhammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Tayyab Tahir, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
New Zealand Team News-
- New Zealand have also named a 15-member squad for the
- The Blackcaps have suffered an injury setback in the form of seamer Ben Sears who is ruled out due to hamstring injury. Jacob Duffy has been added to the squad.
- There is no robust news on Rachin Ravindra’s injury. He sustained a blow on his head in the first match of the tri-series. Ravindra is in the squad and if fit, he will replace Will Young at the top to partner Devon Conway.
- More or less, New Zealand will be fielding the same 11 they opted for in the final of the tri-series against Pakistan.
- Full 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, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Jacob Duffy
PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction: Expected Playing 11
Pakistan Expected Playing 11
- Fakhar Zaman
- Babar Azam
- Saud Shakeel
- Muhammad Rizwan (C/WK)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Tayyab Tahir
- Khushdil Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand Expected Playing 11
- Devon Conway
- Will Young/Rachin Ravindra
- Kane Williamson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner
- Matt Henry
- Jacob Duffy/Nathan Smith
- William O’Rourke
PAK vs NZ Dream11 Top Fantasy Picks
- Muhammad Rizwan: The Pakistan captain averages around 68 in ODIs against Pakistan. He was Pakistan’s second-highest run scored in the recently concluded tri-series. Rizwan will be among the top fantasy picks in this game.
- Devon Conway: New Zealand’s opener scored two fifties in the three games he played in the tri-series. Conway was instrumental in the tri-series and will be looking to continue his rich vein of form.
- Kane Williamson: The former Blackcaps skipper scored a fifty and a hundred in the tri-series and emerged as the highest run-getter for his side. With an average of above 56 against Pakistan, Williamson will be a key in this match.
- Salman Ali Agha: All-rounder Salman Ali Agha ended the series with the Player of the Series award. He scored .twin 40s and a century in the series and also was among the wickets. With his all-round abilities, Salman could be a great choice for C or VC in PAK vs NZ Dream11 Fantasy match.
PAK vs NZ Dream11 Fantasy Team
C and VC Options: Salman Ali Agha, Mitchell Santner, Muhammad Rizwan, Kane Williamson
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