PAK vs NZ Match Prediction | 1st Match

Betting Tips

New Zealand is starting to turn the tables against Pakistan in Pakistan’s home conditions. The team have looked strong by winning pre-tournament silverware in the form of the ODI Tri-Nation Series trophy. Pakistan will still be confident of giving a better account of themselves with their home crowd behind them.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record

New Zealand has been dominant in the two recent ODIs against Pakistan this year. Overall, New Zealand has won three and Pakistan has won two in the last five encounters between them.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Streaming and Broadcast

Pakistan and New Zealand will meet in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening match. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan. The match will be available to watch in India on the Star Sports Network TV broadcast and Disney+ Hotstar (recently renamed to JioHotstar) app live-stream.

PAK vs NZ Team Previews

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan is the current captain and wicketkeeper-batter who has been a consistent force since his debut in 2015. He has over 2500 ODI runs. His leadership and batting acumen have been pivotal in guiding the team through various international challenges.

Babar Azam is an elegant stroke player. The middle order batter has etched his name in the record books by becoming the fastest player to score 5000 runs in ODIs, needing only 97 innings to achieve the feat. His technical finesse and consistency have made him a mainstay in Pakistan's batting lineup.

Fakhar Zaman brings explosive energy to the top order. The left-hander has an ODI top score of 210 not out. In the middle order, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha are adept at building partnerships under pressure.

All-rounder Ali Agha needs 85 more runs for 1000 ODI runs. Tayyab Tahir and Khushdil Shah infuse further aggression to keep up the momentum in the middle phase. Left-hander Shah has over 200 ODI runs.

The last few matches have seen Pakistan get off to shaky starts and lose too many batters after they have got set. The bulk of the runs comes from the middle and lower-middle order.

The bowling department’s wicket contributions will largely come from the world-class Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-armer’s swing and pace have troubled batters worldwide. He took six wickets in three matches in the ODI Tri-Nation Series.

Naseem Shah complements him with raw speed and youthful excitement. The right-arm pacer took two wickets in his previous ODI innings. Adding a spin dimension is Abrar Ahmed's leg-spin variations. The mystery spinner has proven effective in breaking partnerships and containing runs. His best ODI bowling figures are four for 33.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf offers versatility with left-handed boundary-hitting and medium-pace overs in the middle overs.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

New Zealand

At the forefront of the Black Caps batting unit is Kane Williamson. He is a right-handed batter celebrated for his elegant stroke play and strategic brilliance among cricket's elite. He has over 7000 ODI runs.

Opening the innings, Devon Conway is a left-handed batter who brings consistent and impactful performances. The left-hander has five ODI centuries. Complementing him is Will Young. The right-handed batter knows his way around accumulating runs.

In the middle order, Daryl Mitchell has become a household name in New Zealand squads. He is a reliable batter after the first powerplay. Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham combines sharp glovework with dependable batting. He gives the team stability in the field and with the bat.

Both Mitchell and Latham hit half-centuries in the ODI Tri-Nation Series Final. Adding to the batting depth is Glenn Phillips. The all-rounder will be a power-hitter at the death, while chipping in with crucial overs in the middle.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell brings balance to the squad with his dual capabilities as a batter and bowler. As a batter, Bracewell has two ODI centuries. Leading the team in limited-overs cricket is Mitchell Santner. The left-handed all-rounder is an economical left-arm orthodox spinner and useful lower-order batter.

The skipper took five wickets in three matches in the ODI Tri-Nation Series. Emerging talent Nathan Smith has showcased promise with stellar domestic performances to earn him a regular spot in the national setup.

Right-arm fast-medium bowler Jacob Duffy adds depth to the pace attack with his ability to generate movement and maintain disciplined lines. Duffy has 19 ODI wickets. Rounding off the squad is Will O’Rourke. His raw pace and height to give him extra bounce will keep the batters on their toes. The tall seamer took four wickets in the ODI Tri-Nation Series Final against Pakistan to lead the team to a trophy.

New Zealand Expected Playing 11

PAK vs NZ Toss Prediction

Three of the four matches in the recently concluded ODI Tri-Nation Series were won by the side chasing. Especially in the earlier stage of the tournament with conditions being similar in both innings, the captains may be wanting to bowl first.

Pitch and Conditions

The National Stadium in Karachi is renowned for its batter-friendly surfaces. The players can expect consistent pace and bounce throughout the full game. There should also be something in it for the slower bowlers and spinners with enough turn to cause chaos, particularly later. New Zealand chased a target of 243 inside the 46th over against Pakistan in the ODI Tri-Nation Series Final.

Conditions will be partly cloudy for this ICC Champions Trophy opener. Temperatures will be right up there at almost 30 degrees Celsius and a high level of humidity. There is only a five percent chance of rain.

PAK vs NZ Betting Tips

The home side is filled with a number of world-class players in ODI cricket, but have struggled to string together positive results against their visitors. New Zealand, on the other hand, has seen some outstanding results from a group effort. Their strength has come from the team dynamic, with a variety of players putting their hand up at different stages.

Bet on New Zealand to win this match.