KARACHI: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke
HEAD TO HEAD
Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.
However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.
Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1
Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3
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This tournament marks the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament being held in 2017, where Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals India in the final.
The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.
The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.
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