Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan vs New Zealand Today Cricket Match Prediction

In the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the defending champions Pakistan are set to host New Zealand at National Stadium in Karachi on February 19. The tournament is coming back after eight years and the top eight teams are set to lock horns to lift the title on March 9. The much-awaited championship is set to begin with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi.

Notably, both the teams recently met during the ODI Tri Series in Pakistan where New Zealand defeated Pakistan on both the matches to win the Tri Series. However, Pakistan are looking like a strong side and also have a home advantage in the upcoming Champions Trophy. On the other hand, the Black Caps are also among the favourites to win the tournament this year. Let’s have a look at today’s cricket match prediction, pitch report, head-to-head and key players ahead of the 1st match of the Champions Trophy 2025 between Pakistan and New Zealand. 

PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 Match Details

Karachi Stadium Today Match Pitch Report

The National Stadium in Karachi provide great support for the batters and has witnessed many high-scoring encounters in recent times. In the starting, the pacers get some help but becomes favourable for the batters as the match progresses. Usually, the teams prefer to bowl first after winning the toss at this ground. 

PAK vs NZ Head-to-Head in ODI

Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other 118 times in the ODI cricket, where Pakistan are in a lead with 61 wins while the Kiwis have defeated them on 53 occasions. One game has also ended in a tie while three matches ended in no result between Pakistan and New Zealand in ODIs. The first meeting between both the teams in the 50-over was in Christchurch on February 11, 1973. New Zealand defeated Pakistan in that low scoring encounter by 22 runs. The latest ODI match between Pakistan and New Zealand was played in Karachi on February 14 where the Black Caps again won by five wickets to win the Tri Series. 

Probable Playing XIs

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke.

Key Players to watch out for

Mohammad Rizwan: Pakistani skipper Mohammad Rizwan is likely to have a great outing in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025. He looked in great touch in the recently ended ODI Tri Series and could play a crucial part if Pakistan win the title this year.

Naseem Shah: Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah will be another player to look out for in the Champions Trophy clash against New Zealand. The right-arm can take crucial wickets in crunch moments and could play a crucial part if Pakistan win the game.

Kane Williamson: Star New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has shown great form in the ODI format in recent times and will be looking to continue his form in the upcoming Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan. The right-hander has scored one hundred and one fifty in his latest three ODI innings in Pakistan and is a player to look out for in the Champions Trophy  2025.

Will O’Rourke: Fast bowler Will O’ Rourke has been among the constant performers for New Zealand in the last few months and is likely to have a great game against Pakistan in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025. Recently, he was also awarded player of the match for taking four scalps in the Tri Series final against Pakistan and will be looking to continue the same form against them 

PAK vs NZ Today Cricket Match Prediction

Toss Prediction: New Zealand to win the toss and elect to bowl first

First innings prediction: Pakistan to post 290-300 runs in their 50 overs

Today Cricket Match prediction: Pakistan to win the match