Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Match Watching Today: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Opener

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Watch Pakistan vs New Zealand live today in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener! Get real-time updates, match analysis, playing XI, The cricketing world is abuzz as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off today, February 19, 2025, with an exhilarating opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the National Stadium in Karachi, this encounter promises to set the tone for the tournament.

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Match Details

Date: February 19, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM Local Time
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Teams: Pakistan vs. New Zealand

Historical Context

This match holds significant importance as it marks the return of a major international cricket tournament to Pakistan after nearly three decades. The last time Pakistan hosted such a prestigious event was during the 1996 World Cup. The Champions Trophy’s revival is expected to rekindle the nation’s passion for cricket, with fans eagerly awaiting high-quality matches on home soil. citeturn0news27

Team Preparations and Form

Pakistan

As the defending champions, Pakistan enters the tournament with confidence. Their victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, where they defeated arch-rivals India in the final, remains a highlight in their cricketing history. Under the leadership of captain Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan boasts a blend of experienced players and emerging talents. Key players to watch include:

Babar Azam: Renowned for his elegant batting and consistency, Babar is pivotal to Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Shaheen Afridi: A left-arm pacer known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, posing challenges to top-order batsmen.
Shadab Khan: A versatile all-rounder whose leg-spin and batting prowess add depth to the team.

Despite their strengths, Pakistan recently faced setbacks, losing consecutive matches to New Zealand in a tri-nation ODI series held on home turf. This has prompted the team to reassess strategies and address vulnerabilities ahead of the tournament. citeturn0search3

Team News & Probable Playing XI – Pakistan vs New Zealand

Pakistan:

Good news for Pakistan as Haris Rauf, who suffered a muscular strain in his lower chest wall during the recent tri-series, has been declared fit and available for the Champions Trophy opener. The pacer has resumed training in the nets, boosting Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Probable XI:

Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam
Kamran Ghulam / Saud Shakeel
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Salman Agha
Tayyab Tahir
Khushdil Shah
Shaheen Afridi
Naseem Shah
Abrar Ahmed
Haris Rauf

New Zealand:

New Zealand has faced a setback as Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In his place, Kyle Jamieson has been called up to strengthen the pace attack. Additionally, Rachin Ravindra, who sustained a facial injury during the tri-series, has returned to practice, but his availability for this match remains uncertain.

Probable XI:

Will Young / Rachin Ravindra
Devon Conway
Kane Williamson (c)
Daryl Mitchell
Tom Latham (wk)
Glenn Phillips
Michael Bracewell
Mitchell Santner
Matt Henry
Nathan Smith / Jacob Duffy
Will O’Rourke

Pakistan vs New Zealand – Full Squads

Pakistan Squad:

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel.

New Zealand Squad:

Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra.

New Zealand

The Black Caps, led by captain Mitchell Santner, are known for their resilience and adaptability. Their recent triumph in the tri-nation series in Pakistan, where they clinched the title by defeating the hosts, has bolstered their confidence. Key players to watch include:

Kane Williamson: A seasoned batsman whose experience and composure are invaluable in high-stakes matches.
Trent Boult: A left-arm fast bowler celebrated for his sharp swing and wicket-taking abilities.
Devon Conway: A dynamic batsman capable of anchoring the innings and accelerating when needed.

New Zealand’s balanced squad combines experienced campaigners with promising newcomers, making them formidable opponents in the tournament. citeturn0news28

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Pakistan and New Zealand have faced off 118 times in ODIs. Pakistan leads with 61 victories, while New Zealand has secured 53 wins; one match ended in a tie, and three had no result. In the context of the Champions Trophy, however, New Zealand holds an edge, having won all three previous encounters against Pakistan. citeturn0search2

Venue Insights: National Stadium, Karachi

The National Stadium in Karachi, with a seating capacity of 34,000, is renowned for its enthusiastic crowds and lively atmosphere. Recent renovations have enhanced its facilities, ensuring a world-class experience for players and spectators alike. The pitch traditionally favors batsmen, but spinners often find assistance as the game progresses, suggesting a high-scoring contest with potential twists. citeturn0search0

Key Battles to Watch

Babar Azam vs. Trent Boult: A duel between Pakistan’s premier batsman and New Zealand’s ace fast bowler could set the tone for the match.
Shaheen Afridi vs. Kane Williamson: Afridi’s early overs against Williamson will be crucial in establishing momentum.
Shadab Khan vs. Devon Conway: The middle overs battle between Shadab’s leg-spin and Conway’s batting prowess could influence the innings’ trajectory.

Strategies and Expectations

Pakistan’s Approach

Leveraging home advantage, Pakistan is expected to:

Batting: Build a solid foundation with openers, allowing middle-order batsmen like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to capitalize.
Bowling: Utilize their pace attack to make early inroads, with spinners controlling the middle overs.
Fielding: Maintain high energy levels to support bowlers and prevent easy runs.

New Zealand’s Approach

Adapting to subcontinental conditions, New Zealand might:

Batting: Rely on experienced players to navigate the initial overs, setting a platform for aggressive batting later.
Bowling: Employ a mix of pace and spin to exploit any pitch variations, with an emphasis on containing runs.
Fielding: Focus on sharp fielding to create pressure and capitalize on half-chances.

Fan Engagement and Broadcast Information

Cricket enthusiasts worldwide can catch the live action through various platforms:

Television: Star Sports Network will broadcast the match live.
Online Streaming: Fans can stream the match on the Jio Hotstar app and website.

For those attending in person, tickets are available online and at official box offices. Early arrival is recommended to