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AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 4th Match

Charbel Coorey
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AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 4th Match

The 4th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) is a mouthwatering one. Archrivals Australia and England go at it, and both sides are always keen to get one over the other, no matter the format.

However, these two teams have their issues in ODIs. Australia have lost their past four matches, including two by big margins in Sri Lanka last week. England have lost 16 of their past 23 since the start of their awful 2023 World Cup campaign, and come into this tournament off a 3-0 defeat in India.

The argument for Australia is they step up in ICC tournaments. However, this promises to be a tough test with their entire frontline pace attack missing, along with Mitchell Marsh (injured), Cameron Green (injured) and Marcus Stoinis (retired). So, those experienced players – especially the likes of Travis Head and Steve Smith – must step up.

For England, they have the power, but do they have the know-how in ODIs? They’ve struggled for the right tempo in this format since winning in 2019, and this is their chance to get it right. They have dangerous players right down their lineup, and anything is possible if they get going.

CT 2025 2025 4th Match: AUS vs ENG Possible Playing XIs

If Australia play Matt Short, it is likely that only two of Alex Carey, Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne will play.

Australia: 1. Travis Head, 2. Matt Short, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne/Alex Carey, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Aaron Hardie, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Spencer Johnson/Ben Dwarshuis

England confirmed their playing XI on Thursday with a focus on pace in the XI. Jamie Smith will bat at three, with Joe Root moving to four.

England: 1. Phil Salt, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Jamie Smith (wk), 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jos Buttler (c), 7. Liam Livingstone, 8. Brydon Carse, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the first match of CT 2025 at Lahore. It is traditionally a flat surface, with two 300+ scores achieved in two matches in the recent Pakistan-New Zealand-South Africa tri-series.

In five ODIs since the start of 2023, the average first innings score is 290.4 with the team batting first winning three times. Expect another good batting track.

Also, the captain who wins the toss may opt to bowl in the mild conditions. A top of just 21 degrees is forecast, with a chance of dew in the evening. Mostly sunny weather is expected.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs ENG: Players to Watch/Top Picks

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if your are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top wicket-keepers:

  • Jos Buttler, one of the greats of ODI cricket, will be looking to make a mark here and lead from the front. The England captain has struck 969 runs against Australia in ODIs (avg. 37.26, SR 103.74). He is a potential vice-captain option if England bat first given the inexperience in Australia’s attack.
  • If Australia select Alex Carey, he could be a very handy fantasy pick in Dream11. In his last four ODIs, Carey has struck 205 runs at an average of 68.3 and strike rate of 106.8, which includes a man-of-the-match 77 against England at Leeds in September 2024.

Key batters:

  • Travis Head is the top captaincy option in Dream11. He has been outstanding in all formats in recent years, particularly ODIs since the start of 2022. In this period, he has hammered 1,390 runs at an average of 57.9 and strike rate of 121.3.
  • Ben Duckett has smashed 305 runs in five ODIs against Australia at an average of 61.00 and strike rate of 109.71. He and Phil Salt are good picks in a Dream11 team as Australia lack the usual powerplay strike in their attack on paper.
  • Harry Brook loves batting in Pakistan. Also, he struck 312 runs against Australia last year at an average of 78.00 and strike rate of 127.86.

Top all-rounders:

  • Glenn Maxwell offers Dream11 points scoring potential in all three facets of the game. Australia could look to send him in earlier given his fabulous record against Adil Rashid: 135 balls, 163 runs, SR 120.7, two dismissals.
  • Matt Short is yet to find consistency at ODI level, but he is difficult to ignore from a fantasy perspective. If selected, he will open the batting, provide overs of his offspin and field in the hotspot positions.

Key bowlers:

  • Adil Rashid comes into this game in excellent touch after seven wickets in three ODIs in India earlier this month. His matchup against Steve Smith is key. The legspinner has dismissed Australia’s number three seven times in ODIs at an average of 22.3.
  • Adam Zampa has taken 34 wickets in 16 ODIs against England (avg. 23.29, SR 25.73). Australia will be sure to use him against Jos Buttler, whom he has dismissed five times in ODIs at an average of just 8.6. In fact, Zampa was man of the match in the 2023 World Cup meeting between the teams.
  • Jofra Archer strikes every 30 deliveries in ODIs against Australia (14 wickets). He has dismissed Glenn Maxwell three times for 56 runs in 44 balls.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Teams

  • Steve Smith is usually in the must-pick section. However, consider some head-to-head numbers he has against England’s bowlers. Rashid has dismissed him seven times, while Mark Wood has dismissed him thrice at an average of 20.3. Jofra Archer has also kept him relatively quiet in ODIs (50 balls, 29 runs, one wicket). But, Smith has come back into form in recent months and should enjoy conditions at Lahore, so having him in your XI is a safe pick.
  • Joe Root is another curious case. He averages 40.74 at number four compared to 49.70 at number three in ODIs. Also, he averages just 26.68 against Australia, although the bulk of their experience is missing. His ability to rotate spin and keep things ticking in the middle also makes him a safe pick in your Dream11 team.
  • Liam Livingstone can be a good all-round pick especially if England bats first. He struck at 161.19 in five ODIs against Australia last year (108 runs, avg. 36.00).
  • Nathan Ellis can be a value pick in Dream11 as he bowls in the crunch overs, which can bring about wicket-taking opportunities.
  • Mark Wood is a good differential Dream11 pick given his head-to-head numbers against some of the Aussie batters: 3/61 off 86 balls against Smith and 3/36 off 57 balls against Maxwell.

Other Key Stats and Matchups

  • Travis Head in ODIs against England: 18 inns, 894 runs, avg. 55.87, SR 108.89.
  • Travis Head vs. Jofra Archer in ODIs: 34 balls, 46 runs, no dismissals.
  • Ben Duckett vs. Sean Abbott: 34 balls, 49 runs, no dismissals.
  • Joe Root vs. Adam Zampa: 56 balls, 57 runs, one dismissal.
  • Adam Zampa has dismissed Harry Brook twice in 47 balls in ODIs, but the England batter has slammed 73 runs.

CT 2025 4th Match: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Lahore Pitch Report for the 4th match of CT 2025 between Australia & England
AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction – CT 2025 4th Match

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Lahore Pitch Report for the 4th match of CT 2025 between Australia & England
AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction – CT 2025 4th Match

CT 2025 4th Match: AUS vs ENG Match Prediction – Who will win?

A toss of the coin match. England are struggling in ODIs but Australia have a new-look attack. But, Australia’s prowess and mentality in ICC tournaments may get them home in this one, especially if Travis Head has a strong game.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Jake Fraser-McGurk interview – Hope I can recreate my IPL 2024 campaign

Arvind Kalyana Krishnan
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Jake Fraser-McGurk interview – Hope I can recreate my IPL 2024 campaign

Jake Fraser-McGurk was added to the Australia squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy as several of the Aussie players were ruled out for various reasons. The “Starboy” has recently come under a lot of pressure due to his poor run in international cricket. Despite being hailed as the next big thing in Australian cricket, the youngster is yet to find his feet in the international arena.

Having said that, JFM has shown glimpses of his immense potential in T20 leagues, especially the IPL. In fact, several pundits have touted him to be the next David Warner. His aggressive style of play has drawn the attention of millions of cricket fans across the globe; hence, it wouldn’t all be surprising if the swashbuckling batter proves his critics wrong during the Champions Trophy.

Australia are scheduled to play their opening game of the tournament on February 22 and face their arch-rivals England. During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan for CricBlog, Jake Fraser-McGurk spoke about his childhood heroes and why he’s looked up to them.

Also, Fraser-McGurk expressed his excitement over working with the Delhi Capitals’ new management. The talented player had set the cricketing world on fire through his exploits during the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League last year.

He scored 330 runs in nine games at an average of 36.67 and a whopping strike-rate of 234.05 during the 2024 season. He was hopeful of repeating his heroics for the Delhi-based franchise in the upcoming 2025 edition. Delhi had used their RTM card to get JFM back during the auction in December 2024.

Jake Fraser-McGurk interview – Maxwell, Clarke and Finch the guys I’ve looked up to

Below is the audio and transcript of our chat with Jake Fraser-McGurk earlier in 2025.

Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: So Delhi managed to pick you back in the auction. How excited are you to work with the new management over there?

Jake Fraser-McGurk: I’m super excited! I’ve known the new management for a little bit, from being from Dubai last year. Yeah, so I’m super excited to get back over there and hopefully can sort of recreate the things I did last year, and we can get a bit more success this year.

Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: And your childhood hero growing up? Who would it be?

Jake Fraser-McGurk: Glenn Maxwell, Michael Clarke, you know those guys…..Aaron Finch. All those guys there. They’re people that I’ve looked up to and I don’t aspire to be, but I love how they play the game and things like that. So I try to be like them on and off the field.

IND vs BAN Reactions – Brilliant Shubman Gill 101* sees India home in CT 2025

Charbel Coorey
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IND vs BAN Reactions – Brilliant Shubman Gill 101* sees India home in CT 2025

Dominant powerplays with bat and ball, along with a magnificent 101* from Shubman Gill, has seen India get off to a winning start in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Bangladesh fought hard with after a difficult first ten overs both with the bat and in the field. Jaker Ali, who was dropped by Rohit Sharma off Axar Patel’s hat-trick ball, combined with centurion Towhid Hridoy for a 153-run stand to take the Tigers from 35/5 to 189/6. In the end, however, Bangladesh mustered just 228.

With the ball, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team reduced India to 144/4 in the 31st over after Rohit Sharma and Gill put on 69 for the first wicket. Kohli struggled, Shreyas threatened and Axar was out cheaply, but Gill held his nerve brilliantly. He managed a tricky chase perfectly on a slow Dubai track, as KL Rahul was dropped by Jaker on 9 which would have reduced India to 166/5 with 63 still needed.

Gill picked his moments, mixing singles with the occasional boundary to keep India ticking. In his 51 ODIs to date, Gill has had no problem taking attacks apart with an overall strike rate of 100.78. However, in this innings, he found the tempo for the situation, ensuring he occupied the crease and stayed through until the end.

ALSO READ: Fans react to low crowd in Dubai for India-Bangladesh Champions Trophy match

Reactions to Shubman Gill 101* that leads India to important win

Shubman Gill brought up his hundred with India needing just eight for victory. “Bat for long hours and you reap the rewards at the end of the game,” said Dinesh Karthik on commentary. “He’s worked hard in this innings. This has been an invaluable knock for his side,” said Ravi Shastri.

The win could have been a lot more straightforward for India had they taken their chances in the field, but the key is getting the win on the board especially on a slow pitch. Gill paced his innings so well; a sign that he continues to mature as an ODI player.

“Gill has indeed mastered the art of finding the right tempo for ODIs. He understands how to pace an innings. The king of present* times*, in ODIs”, wrote Bharath Ramaraj, principal correspondent at RevSportz Global.

Here are some of the reactions to Shubman Gill’s fine knock of 101*.

Earlier, Mohammed Shami took 5/53 as his return from injury ramps up. Harshit Rana took three wickets of his own while India’s spinners were steady in keeping Bangladesh in check despite the big partnership.

Next up for India is a showdown with archrivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. It is just about a must-win game for Pakistan as a defeat means they will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to stand a chance of qualifying.

Reactions to low crowd in Dubai for IND vs BAN Champions Trophy Game

Charbel Coorey
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Reactions to low crowd in Dubai for IND vs BAN Champions Trophy Game

India and Bangladesh were greeted by a low crowd in Dubai for their opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy. After months of deliberation and meetings to discuss the location of India’s matches after choosing not to travel to Pakistan, the fans didn’t quite show up in their droves in Dubai to see two Asian teams go at it.

A sea of blue seats dominated the broadcast as India ripped through the Bangladesh top order early. It led to questions from fans as to the marketing efforts by the ICC around this Champions Trophy, as well as how engaged fans are with the concept given the sheer amount of ICC tournaments, especially since the start of 2021.

Fans react to low crowd in Dubai for India vs Bangladesh match

It remains to be seen how much the crowd builds throughout the day. However, there is the risk the match won’t last until the lights take effect given Bangladesh’s poor start.

“If a global cricket event can’t even fill a stadium for an India match, it’s an embarrassing failure of its administration and marketing,” wrote one fan on X. “Almost an empty stadium in Dubai for India vs Bangladesh. People are not taking Champions Trophy seriously,” wrote another.

Here are some other reactions.

What are your thoughts? Is the low crowd in Dubai just temporary until it builds further throughout the day? Or is the Champions Trophy lacking prestige in an environment where there are yearly ICC tournaments?

The winner of this contest will join New Zealand on two points in Group A. The Black Caps were too strong for Pakistan on the opening day, defeating the hosts by 60 runs.

AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 3rd Match

Robin Rounder
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AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 3rd Match

Afghanistan and South Africa will kickstart their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2025 in the 3rd match overall. Both sides will be eager to do well in the competitive tournament, and teams must capitalise on whatever chances they get in the group stages. 

Afghanistan had a great year in ODIs in 2024. They lost to Sri Lanka 3-0 in February but after that they defeated Ireland (2-0), South Africa (2-1), Bangladesh (2-1) and Zimbabwe (2-0). The Afghan batters have been in great form, and the bowlers have done an excellent job as well. Allah Ghazanfar will be a big miss for them, but despite that, they have a pretty balanced squad with quite a few experienced campaigners in Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah.

They will be pretty confident for this game after defeating the Proteas 2-1 in their last meeting in ODI cricket.  

Meanwhile, the Proteas will have another shot at ending their ICC Trophy drought in this tournament. They do have a very capable squad for the tournament with the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller and others in their ranks. 

South Africa lost both games in the recently concluded tri-series, but they didn’t have their full-strength squad available for these matches. The Proteas had a poor 2024 when talking about the 50-over format. They lost to Afghanistan 2-1 and 3-0 to Pakistan in their backyard. They defeated Ireland 2-1. South Africa will be itching to do well in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

CT 2025 3rd Match: AFG vs SA Probable Playing XIs

With Allah Ghazanfar ruled out and Mujeeb ur Rahman also missing out, Nangeyalia Kharote and Noor Ahmad should be the two spinners apart from Rashid Khan. It’ll be interesting to see who they go with as the opening partner for Gurbaz.

Afghanistan: 1. Sediqullah Atal/Ibrahim Zadran, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Azmatullah Omarzai, 6. Gulbadin Naib, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Nangeyalia Kharote, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

It’s unlikely that youngster Tristan Stubbs will start for South Africa in this game. The Proteas may look to play Wiaan Mulder over Lungi Ngidi considering the latter’s current form. 

South Africa: 1. Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma (c), 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

National Stadium Karachi Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the second game of the tournament at this venue. The first game between Pakistan and New Zealand saw ample help for the spinners. There was turn and grip on offer for them. There was no dew as well in the second innings, but batting looked easier towards the last 10-12 overs of the second innings. 

The batters will have to get in before playing their shots. There will be little to no movement for the pacers with the new ball. Batters and spinners will be crucial in this match. Teams may prefer chasing, but batting first will be a tempting option as well. 

A cloudy day is on the forecast, with the highest temperature being 28 degrees Celsius. Humidity will be around 40-60% during the game.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AFG vs SA: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if your are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks: 

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been brilliant for Afghanistan in ODIs. He’s the highest run-scorer for Afghanistan in the last 12 months: 531 runs in 11 innings at an average of 48.27, including three hundreds and two fifties. Gurbaz averages 54.80 against South Africa with a hundred and a fifty in four games. 
  • Heinrich Klaasen scored 264 runs in just three innings in 2024, including three fifties at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 123.36. Klaasen also scored a fifty in the tri-series game against Pakistan. He is one of the best middle-order batters in world cricket and will be a must in your fantasy teams. 

Key batter picks: 

  • Temba Bavuma will be a key batter for his side at the top. He averages 43.25 in 45 ODIs with five centuries and five fifties to his name. Bavuma scored 82 against Pakistan in the tri-series. He will be a top pick in fantasy cricket. 
  • Rassie van der Dussen was in top form in the SA20. He’s a good player of spin bowling and will be a key player in fantasy cricket. Rassie scored 76 in his only ODI against Afghanistan back in 2023.

Top all-rounder picks: 

  • Azmatullah Omarzai has been a match-winner for Afghanistan with both bat and ball. He has scored 417 runs in 12 ODIs in 2024 at an average of 52.12 with three fifties and a hundred. Omarzai also picked up 18 wickets at an average of 18.33 during this period. 
  • Marco Jansen is another quality all-rounder to pick for this game. He can tonk the ball down the order and will lead South Africa’s pace attack. Jansen picked six wickets in 3 ODIs last year. 
  • Mohammad Nabi scored 411 runs in 11 ODI innings in 2024 at an average of 41, including a fifty and a hundred. He will be a key batter for his side in the lower middle order. 
  • It is high time now that Aiden Markram converts his starts into big scores. He will be a key batter for the Proteas in the middle-order and will fancy his chances on the wickets in Pakistan. 

Key bowler picks: 

  • Rashid Khan is arguably the best spinner in white-ball cricket at the moment. He picked up seven wickets in just two games against South Africa last year and had a total of 15 wickets in just six games in 2024 at an average of 12.47 including a 5-fer. 
  • Kagiso Rabada had a good SA20 and will be an important bowler for the Proteas. He will be a good pick in fantasy cricket, especially while bowling first. 

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team 

  • David Miller can be a game-changer in fantasy cricket for this game. He averages 41.57 in ODIs and can fetch you plenty of points with his style of play with Dream11’s new points system.
  • Sediqullah Atal has 230 runs in 6 ODIs at an average of 46 with a fifty and a hundred to his name. He will be a top pick if he plays. 
  • Noor Ahmad will be a key bowler for his side, especially in the middle overs. He is a genuine wicket-taker and can go through any batting line-up on his day. The pitch assisted the spinners in the first game here, and he will get good help if it’s a used wicket.
  • Rahmat Shah scored 280 runs in 13 innings last year at an average of 23.33, including four fifties. Strike rate is a big concern for him but you can consider him in your fantasy teams. 
  • Ryan Rickelton scored 171 runs in four innings in 2024 at an average of 42.75. He will be a must in your fantasy teams if he plays this game. He had a stellar season in the SA20 recently. 

Other Matchups and Facts 

  • Heinrich Klaasen versus Rashid Khan will be a key battle for both sides. Rashid has dismissed Klaasen once in five deliveries in ODIs and thrice in 52 deliveries for 95 runs in T20s. 
  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggles against left-arm pace and Marco Jansen can trouble him initially. He has dismissed the Afghan batter twice in 10 balls for just three runs in T20Is. 
  • Rashid Khan needs two wickets to complete 200 ODI wickets. 

CT 2025 3rd Match: AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Karachi Pitch Report for the 1st match of CT 2025 between Afghanistan & South Africa
CT 2025 3rd Match – AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction.

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Karachi Pitch Report for the 1st match of CT 2025 between Afghanistan & South Africa
CT 2025 3rd Match – AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction.

CT 2025 3rd Match: AFG vs SA Match Prediction – Who will win?

South Africa has good quality and depth with the bat but Afghanistan has a bowling attack, especially their spinners. It’s going to be a nect-to-neck contest but expect Afghanistan to edge the Proteas in this clash. I think Afghanistan will win.

Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on X @robin_rounder

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

South Africa 2025 Champions Trophy Squad SWOT Analysis – Will the Proteas break their ICC trophy drought?

Sparsh Telang
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South Africa 2025 Champions Trophy Squad SWOT Analysis – Will the Proteas break their ICC trophy drought?

South Africa squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen

South Africa in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup

  • Matches played: 14
  • Matches won: 4
  • Matches lost: 10
  • W/L ratio – 0.400
  • Batting run rate – 5.35

Most runs for South Africa in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup:

  1. Tony de Zorzi (LHB): 423 runs, AVG: 42.30, SR: 95.27, 100s: 1, 50s: 1
  2. Heinrich Klaasen (RHB): 378 runs, AVG: 63.00, SR: 125.58, 100s: 0, 50s: 4
  3. Tristan Stubbs (RHB): 243 runs, AVG: 48.60, SR: 91.01, 100s: 1, 50s: 1

Most wickets for South Africa in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup:

  1. Lizaad Williams (right-arm pace): 13 wickets, AVG: 18.76, ECO: 5.54
  2. Bjorn Fortuin (left-arm spin): 10 wickets, AVG: 31.80, ECO: 4.58
  3. Lungi Ngidi (right-arm pace): 9 wickets, AVG: 38.77, ECO: 6.01

Since the 2023 World Cup, South Africa have the (joint) worst record of all the teams participating in the Champions Trophy. They enter the tournament on the back of six consecutive losses, but much of this is attributed to league matches and being unable to field a full-strength ODI side.

“I know they’ll shine through when it comes to these world events, these marquee events. The guys tend to step up. They tend to bring their best cricket,” said white-ball coach Rob Walter at the Wanderers after suffering a 3-0 series loss against Pakistan. “We’ve seen that for two World Cups in a row.”

“The reality is the lead up into the Champions Trophy won’t be anything, like the lead up to the World Cup. That’s the reality of the way the schedule is stacked up. But at the end of the day, I’ve just got to trust in the quality of the players,” he said. “Obviously, the switching in codes will potentially pose a little bit of a challenge to us. But again, it’s not like the guys have not played 50-over cricket. So, I trust that when the time comes, we’ll be there.”

South Africa SWOT Analysis for the 2025 Champions Trophy: Will the Proteas turn around their poor run of form in ODIs?

Top-Order Conundrum

South Africa will be without Quinton de Kock, who retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, at an ICC event for the first time since 2014. They have yet to settle on an opening partner for skipper Temba Bavuma but aren’t bereft of options, with Tony de Zorzi and in-form Ryan Rickelton competing for the spot. If needed, Aiden Markram could also be promoted to the top of the order.

In any case, Rassie van der Dussen will bat at No. 3. “Rassie has been a stalwart at No. 3, so we’re hesitant to change his position given the way he’s contributed there,” said Walter. However, while he appeared in decent touch in the recently concluded SA20, his ODI record since the start of the World Cup is somewhat concerning: 590 runs across 19 innings at an average of 32.77 and a strike rate of 78.98.

A Power-Packed Middle-Order

South Africa boasts a middle order so strong that a player of Tristan Stubbs’ calibre – who would start for most other teams – may miss out. Aiden Markram will occupy the No. 4 spot and play fulcrum alongside van der Dussen for the side. He will be followed by the powerful duo of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, forming what is arguably the world’s most destructive ODI middle order.

Klaasen, in particular, is enjoying some of the best form of his career. He has notched up four 80+ scores in his last four innings. Since the start of 2023, he averages 53.25 at a strike rate of 137.56 in ODIs. In overs 31-50, his strike rate soars to 165.48, second only to Glenn Maxwell’s 168.63 (min. 200 balls faced).

His partner-in-crime, Miller, isn’t too far behind, with 595 runs at a strike rate of 130.20 in overs 31-50 in ODIs since 2023.

South Africa SWOT Analysis for 2025 Champions Trophy: Most runs scored in overs 31-50 in ODIs since 2023

Seam-bowling all-rounders Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch provide additional depth to the lineup.

Proteas’ Bowling Arsenal: Seam and Spin Depth

South Africa will have five frontline seamers – Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Wiaan Mulder – at their disposal. Bosch, who can bowl express pace and is a handy lower-order batter, was named as the replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje after his standout performances for MI Cape Town in their championship-winning campaign.

While Rabada and Jansen form a formidable new-ball pair, expect Mulder to start in the XI at No. 7 as the third seamer, thanks to his improved batting over the last 15-18 months.

Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will spearhead the spin attack, with the former, in particular, evolving as a bowler in recent years. During the 2023 World Cup, he even reached the summit of the Men’s ODI bowling rankings, and he will once again play a key role for the Proteas in a tournament in Asia. Markram will serve as the sixth bowler with his part-time off-spin.

While South Africa’s Powerplay bowling looks sorted, middle-overs pace and slog-overs may pose concerns. Bosch, though capable of clocking high pace and pushing batters onto the backfoot, struggles with control at this stage of his career, a challenge shared by Mulder as well.

South Africa Predicted XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy

1. Temba Bavuma (c), 2. Tony de Zorzi/Ryan Rickelton, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6. David Miller, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Wiaan Mulder, 9. Corbin Bosch/Tabraiz Shamsi, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Keshav Maharaj

South Africa SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

  • Unmatched middle-order firepower, particularly Heinrich Klaasen
  • Destructive slog-overs batting
  • Excellent depth in batting with Jansen potentially at No.8
  • Wicket-taking new-ball duo in Rabada and Jansen

Weaknesses:

  • Lack of a reliable middle-overs enforcer in the absence of Nortje and Coetzee
  • Death-bowling concerns
  • Top-order instability and Powerplay run-scoring post-de Kock

Opportunities:

  • Clinch the trophy, erase the ‘C’ tag, and rewrite legacy
  • Capitalise on the form of some of their key players

Threats:

  • Bowling unit could struggle if Jansen-Rabada fail to strike up front
  • Limited ODI game time for several players       
  • Psychological baggage of crumbling under pressure in ICC tournaments

Written by Sparsh Telang. Follow on X on @_cricketsparsh

Babar Azam heavily criticised for 64 (90) against New Zealand in 2025 Champions Trophy opener

Charbel Coorey
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Babar Azam heavily criticised for 64 (90) against New Zealand in 2025 Champions Trophy opener

Babar Azam has been widely criticised by fans and pundits following his innings of 64 (90) in the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Karachi. Babar, the number two-ranked ODI batsman, faced 52 dots, part of a top order that never got going in the run chase of 321.

At the start of their innings, Pakistan had to climb a hill – a relatively rocky one – with a required run rate of 6.42. By the time ten overs had been bowled, that hill was quickly turning into Everest. The asking rate ballooned to 7.12, with the hosts mustering just 22 runs – the worst tally they have ever put together in the first ten overs of a home ODI.

Saud Shakeel (6 off 19 balls) and Mohammad Rizwan (3 off 14 balls) also have a lot to answer for regarding Pakistan’s poor start. However, things did not improve thereafter. By the end of the 22nd over, Pakistan had played out 95 dots and the run rate did not touch four until the 29th over thanks to Salman Agha’s 28-ball cameo that yielded 42 runs.

Poor innings from Babar Azam that put Pakistan under further pressure

Truth be told, it was a poor innings from Babar that lacked any substance or intent. Even with the asking rate climbing to over nine an over, Babar continued to play ultra conservatively, even dead-batting deliveries from New Zealand’s offspinners which should, in theory, be a favourable matchup for a right-handed batter.

In fact, Babar did not hit a single boundary between the 16th and 33rd over. As the set batsman with Pakistan already well behind the asking rate, plus Fakhar Zaman’s injury, such an approach gave them next to no hope of victory.

Babar Azam came in for criticism from fans and pundits following his innings of 64 (90) in the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
PAK vs NZ reactions: Babar Azam’s 64 (90) came in for plenty of criticism.

Those in defence of Babar ask why he cops the most criticism while others are performing under-par.

The answer is simple.

Given Babar was regularly compared with the fab four and lots of noise has been made about his high ODI rankings over the years, the spotlight will naturally be on him in big games. His 64 off 90 balls is quite damaging in a run chase of 321, where 15 overs are taken up and the pressure increases massively on those around him.

Reactions: Babar Azam cops plenty of criticism for his 64 (90) in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener

Pakistan still lost by a handsome margin of 60 runs despite excellent knocks from Khushdil Shah (69 off 49 balls) and Salman Agha (42 off 28 balls). As a result, Mohammad Rizwan’s team now faces a must-win scenario against archrivals India in Dubai on Sunday.

The reactions to Babar Azam’s 64 (90) were scathing. “This was the worst innings i have seen from a Pakistani batter in a chase. Even Misbah’s SF knock (in 2011) wasn’t this bad,” wrote one fan on X.

“Any other team would have dropped Babar Azam unfortunately for us, he plays for Pakistan— where meritocracy is nonexistent. Players like Rizwan, and Shaheen still riding on the coattails of the 152-0 result from 2021 – arguably the worst thing to ever happen to Pakistan cricket,” wrote another.

Here are some of the reactions to the innings.

On the other side, New Zealand showed why they are one of the tournament favourites. After falling to 73/3, they dominated thereafter, with Will Young and Tom Latham striking magnificent centuries. With the ball, they were never troubled, always in control of the situation thanks to a combination of tight bowling and poor Pakistani batting.

Next up for the Black Caps is Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday. If India beats Bangladesh and Pakistan, a win for New Zealand in that game will seal qualification to the semi-finals.

IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 2nd Match

Charbel Coorey
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0
IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 2nd Match

Tournament favourites India lock horns with Bangladesh in the 2nd match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT). The action moves to Dubai after months of speculation as to whether India will travel to Pakistan. After their decision to not travel, a hybrid tournament was announced and Rohit Sharma’s team will be seeking to make the most of the conditions.

India come into the tournament in good form. They beat England easily, with their long batting lineup and well-rounded bowling unit proving too strong. How well they will fare without Jasprit Bumrah remains to be seen, but can Bangladesh challenge them enough?

The Tigers have largely struggled in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup. Their pace bowling is cause for optimism, but their batting output – especially that of their top order – is a worry. Plus, the hole Shakib Al Hasan’s absence leaves is a big one, with veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah still expected to do the heavy lifting.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIs, Dubai pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 2nd match of CT 2025.

CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Possible Playing XIs

India should play three seamers including Hardik Pandya, with Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav the spin options.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Axar Patel, 6. KL Rahul (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Harshit Rana

Bangladesh have some decisions to make about the make up of their bowling attack. Tanzim Hasan Sakib did worry India in the 2023 Asia Cup, where he dismissed Rohit Sharma.

Bangladesh: 1. Tanzid Hasan, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), 4. Towhid Hridoy, 5. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8. Rishad Hossain/Nasum Ahmed, 9. Taskin Ahmed, 10. Nahid Rana/Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

The weather is perfect in Dubai at this time of year. The forecast is for a top of 26 degrees and mostly sunny conditions.

In terms of the Dubai surface, pacers had a good time in the recent UAE ILT20 league, taking 68.2% of the wickets. The average first innings score in that tournament was a modest 157.67, with the chasing team winning 11 of 15 matches.

Expect the team who wins the toss to choose to chase under lights at a ground where batting second usually reigns supreme.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs BAN: Top picks for Dream11 – Key Players

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Mushfiqur Rahim is likelier to get an opportunity to play a longer innings. Overall against India, Rahim has scored 703 runs at an average of 31.95 and strike rate of 73.68.

Key batter picks:

  • Shubman Gill is a genuine captaincy option in Dream11. With 2,587 runs at 60.16, Gill has established himself as one of the best ODI players in the world. He is coming off scores of 87, 60 and 112 against England, and has a fifty and century in two ODIs against Bangladesh.
  • Rohit Sharma found form with 119 in the recent ODI series against England. Also, Rohit averages 56.14 in 17 ODIs against Bangladesh, with three fifties and three hundreds.
  • Virat Kohli is seeking a return to his best form, but you’d be a brave fantasy player to leave him out of your Dream11 team. Kohli has the most runs in IND-BAN ODIs (910) at an average of 75.83 and strike rate of 101.78.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • There is a case for Hardik Pandya to take the new ball against Bangladesh’s shaky top order. Nevertheless, he can still chip in with wickets given his hit-the-deck style. Batting wise, seeing India’s depth, Hardik’s best opportunity to make an impact is if they bat first.
  • Mehidy Hasan Miraz is one of Bangladesh’s key bowlers and should get a chance to bat, providing opportunities for Dream11 points. Mehidy has a ton and seven wickets in seven ODIs against India.

Top bowler picks:

  • Wristspin can be Bangladesh’s kryptonite. Kuldeep Yadav is ready to pounce. The wristspinner has ten wickets in six ODIs at Dubai at an average of 23.70 and economy of 4.08.
  • Arshdeep Singh has taken the most wickets for India since the 2023 World Cup with 14 at an average of 16.64.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

  • Ravindra Jadeja is coming off a superb series against England where he took 3/26 and 3/25. He can pounce against Bangladesh’s inability at times to rotate strike against accurate spin.
  • Axar Patel can be a solid differential option especially if India bats first. He is a chance to bat as high as five.
  • Shreyas Iyer is an excellent pick, especially if India bats first. Batting at number four, Shreyas has smashed 1,578 runs at an average of 52.60 and strike rate of 103.81. This includes 59, 44 and 78 in the recent ODIs against England.
  • Soumya Sarkar has scored the most ODI runs for Bangladesh since the 2023 World Cup (430) at an average of 43.00 and strike rate of 93.68.
  • Najmul Hossain Shanto averages 59.66 in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup (358 runs).
  • Taskin Ahmed has the most wickets for Bangladesh since the 2023 World Cup, with 14 at an average of 23,92.
  • Mustafizur Rahman has 25 wickets in 12 ODIs against India at an average of 21.88.

Other Key Stats and Matchups

  • Mushfiqur has scored 105 runs in 137 balls (one dismissal) against Ravindra Jadeja, 37 off 45 (one dismissal) against Axar Patel and 11 off 22 (no dismissals) against Kuldeep Yadav in ODIs.
  • Shubman Gill against Mustafizur Rahman in ODIs: 32 balls, 46 runs, no dismissals.
  • Virat Kohli strikes above 100 in ODIs against Mustafizur (58 balls, 68 runs, one dismissal) and Taskin Ahmed (34 balls, 35 runs, one dismissal). He also has 55 runs in 65 balls against Mehidy Hasan Miraz without dismissal.
  • Rohit Sharma in ODIs at Dubai: 5 matches, 317 runs, avg. 105.66, SR 93.51.

CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction Today 21 February

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction: Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 2nd Match of CT 2025.
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction: Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 2nd Match of CT 2025.
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Match Prediction – Who will win?

India will win comfortably.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy Squad SWOT Analysis – How far will the hosts go?

Sparsh Telang
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Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy Squad SWOT Analysis – How far will the hosts go?

Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan (wk), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup

  • Matches played: 12
  • Matches won: 8
  • Matches lost: 4
  • W/L ratio: 2.000
  • Batting run rate: 5.71

Most runs for Pakistan in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup:

  1. Saim Ayub (LHB): 515 runs, AVG: 64.37, SR: 105.53, 100s: 3, 50s: 1
  2. Mohammad Rizwan (RHB): 435 runs, AVG: 62.14, SR: 80.25, 100s: 1, 50s: 2
  3. Agha Salman (RHB): 428 runs, AVG: 53.50, SR: 97.71, 100s: 1, 50s: 1
  4. Babar Azam (RHB): 290 runs, AVG: 41.42, SR: 77.54, 100s: 0, 50s: 2

Most wickets for Pakistan in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup:

  1. Shaheen Afridi (left-arm pace): 21 wickets, AVG: 22.04, ECO: 5.72
  2. Haris Rauf (right-arm pace): 14 wickets, AVG: 22.42, ECO: 4.94
  3. Abrar Ahmed (right-arm legspin): 13 wickets, AVG: 25.30, ECO: 4.98
  4. Naseem Shah (right-arm pace): 13 wickets, AVG: 36.84, ECO: 6.18

Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy SWOT Analysis: Can Mohammad Rizwan’s team go far?

Ayub’s Absence Forces Babar Azam into Opening Role for Pakistan

Pakistan faced a significant setback when 22-year-old Saim Ayub, who played a key role in their series victories in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In his absence, Pakistan has called upon Babar Azam to open the innings.

“His [Ayub’s] absence created a huge disturbance, and we went for the safety of Babar Azam, who’s our best batter,” skipper Mohammad Rizwan said ahead of the tri-series final against New Zealand.

“At the top, if the ball swings, he can control it. When Abdullah Shafique got out early in South Africa, Babar had to deal with the new ball anyway. He was coping with the seam and swing and enabling us to attack at the end. So, we thought why not go for our most technically solid player to open, rather than throwing someone else in at the deep end.” 

Babar scored 10, 23, and 29 across three innings as an opener in the Tri-Series, with his overall average as an opener in ODIs sitting at just 17.60 (5 innings). However, there’s no reason to believe this is anything more than a result of a small sample size. Given Babar’s skill and class, there’s every reason to have confidence in him to eventually succeed.

“It’s not as if he is doing something drastically different, but he is still getting out. Luck has evaded him. I am confident he’ll come out of it”, Rizwan said.

Fakhar Zaman, recalled to the ODI side after the 2023 World Cup, will open the batting alongside Babar Azam, with Saud Shakeel expected to bat at No. 3.

Pakistan’s Batting Blueprint

One area where Pakistan has been slightly below par of late is their Powerplay batting. The top-order has failed to provide the necessary impetus up front, and while Fakhar may help a bit on this front, even his ODI career strike rate in the Powerplay is just 84.1, which rises to 100.4 in overs 11-40. Saim Ayub too struck at only 80 in the Powerplay, which then rose to 132.2 in the middle overs.

The middle overs, perhaps, are where Pakistan’s true batting strength lies. All the criticism that Babar and Rizwan face for their T20 game is actually perfect for this format. In Salman Agha, Pakistan has another batter who can pace his innings well and is a fine player of spin Though, if Babar departs early, hit-the-deck pace could pose a challenge for their middle order.

Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy: Will Babar Azam have a big tournament?

Tayyab Tahir, who averages 46.91 in List A cricket (albeit not batting at No. 6), and Khushdil Shah – who has returned to the ODI side after three years, thanks to his stellar run of form in the BPL, where he scored nearly 300 runs at a strike rate of 175.29 (which skyrocketed to around 240 in the death overs) and took 17 wickets (the most for a spinner) – complete the batting lineup.

However, quality pace, particularly if it tests their backfoot play, could well restrict the Pakistan lower order’s run-scoring.

Pace Power and Spin Deficiencies: Pakistan’s Bowling Dynamics

One of Pakistan’s key strengths in white-ball cricket has been their pace attack. Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf each bring distinct skill sets and strengths to the table, forming a very well-rounded overall unit. Though they appeared ordinary in each match of the Tri-Series (Rauf bowled only 6.2 overs before getting injured), Pakistan would not feel too perturbed about their pace attack heading into the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan would be particularly pleased to see Haris Rauf finding form after a couple of poor years in ODIs (averaging 21.2 since 2024 compared to 35 in 2022-23 in overs 11-40). His ability to hit the deck hard at high pace will be especially useful in the middle overs, given the squad’s scarcity of spin resources.

With the exception of Abrar Ahmed, who has an experience of just seven ODIs, Pakistan have no other frontline spin options in the squad. Khushdil and Agha offer some part-time spin and may be required to combine and bowl the 10 overs of the fifth bowler, which is a high-risk strategy and could be a major loophole in their bowling attack.

Pakistan Predicted Starting XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy

1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Babar Azam, 3. Saud Shakeel, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Tayyab Tahir, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

Pakistan Champions Trophy SWOT Summary

Strengths:

  • Home advantage
  • Excellent all-phase pace attack
  • Middle-overs batting stability

Weaknesses:

  • Vulnerability of middle and lower order against high-pace and back-of-length pace
  • Slow starts in the Powerplay
  • Almost non-existent spin attack
  • No frontline fifth bowling option

Opportunities:

  • Restore ICC tournament reputation with a successful title defense  
  • Chance for Abrar to establish himself as the leader of the spin attack

Threats:

  • Injury-prone pacers
  • History of imploding under pressure and psychological baggage of post-2017 ICC tournament failures
  • Flat tracks could neutralize Pakistan’s attacking pacers

Written by Sparsh Telang. Follow on X on @_cricketsparsh

PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible XIs Pitch Report – CT 2025 1st Match

Charbel Coorey
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PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible XIs Pitch Report – CT 2025 1st Match

After months of deliberation, the 1st match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) is here. Pakistan, the last winners back in 2017, will be seeking the perfect start to the tournament at home against New Zealand, who beat them comprehensively twice in last week’s ODI tri-series.

As always, Pakistan have the talent to make a mark. However, can they deliver under pressure? Their pace attack can trouble teams, but the lack of a specialist fifth bowling option is a concern. Also, can Babar Azam go big as opener?

The Black Caps look settled. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell look in fine touch, with Tom Latham enjoyed a return to form. The bowling attack has variety and depth, even more so if Lockie Ferguson is fit to return. As one of the more favoured teams in the tournament, New Zealand will be seeking a repeat of their tri-series performances.

In this article, we will look at the Possible XIs for both teams, Karachi pitch report, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Dream11 Prediction and Match Prediction for the 1st match of CT 2025.

CT 2025 1st Match: PAK vs NZ Possible Playing XIs

Haris Rauf confirmed he is ready to go. “I am fit and bowled today without any pain,” he said in a presser.

Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Babar Azam, 3. Saud Shakeel, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Tayyab Tahir, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9. 10. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

In a huge blow for New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson is out of the tournament due to a foot injury. Rachin Ravindra, who copped a nasty blow to the head in the tri-series opener against Pakistan, is also a chance. However, the Black Caps are likely to be cautious around Ravindra’s return.

New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Glenn Phillips, 7. Michael Bracewell, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Matt Henry, 10. Jacob Duffy, 11. Will O’Rourke

National Stadium Karachi Pitch Report and Weather

Expect a good batting surface in Karachi. South Africa hit 352/5 in the tri-series, before Pakistan chased it with an over to spare with centuries to Agha Salman and Mohammad Rizwan. In the final, however, spinners were dominant as Mitchell Santner (2/20) and Michael Bracewell (2/38) did not let Pakistan get away.

Chasing will be important. So, expect the captain who wins the toss to bowl. A warm and mostly clear day is forecast, with a top of about 29 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs NZ: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Mohammad Rizwan’s strike rate is in question, but can gain Dream11 fantasy points thanks to his consistent run-scoring. The Pakistan captain hit 171 runs in the recent tri-series, including an excellent hundred against South Africa.

Key batter picks:

  • Kane Williamson comes into CT 2025 in excellent form (225 runs in the tri-series at 112.50). Also, Williamson has the most runs all-time in PAK-NZ ODIs, with 1,290 at an average of 56.08. This includes 11 50+ scores in 24 matches. A genuine Dream11 captaincy option.
  • Daryl Mitchell enjoys batting against Pakistan: 10 inns, 536 runs, avg. 53.60, SR 95.03. This includes scores of 81 and 57 in the tri-series. Also, Mitchell can target Pakistan’s lack of top class spin in their XI.
  • Fakhar Zaman has a career average of 65.81 in 19 ODIs against New Zealand. This includes 84 in the recent tri-series.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Agha Salman has a key role to play for Pakistan as both a frontline bowler and middle order batsman. He scored 219 runs and bowled 19.4 overs in the recent tri-series. Salman also enjoys batting in Karachi (408 runs, avg. 58.28, SR 108.80). Pick in your Dream11 fantasy team with confidence.

Key bowler picks:

  • Will O’Rourke has wicket-taking ability at all stages of the innings. He hits the deck hard and can challenge the Pakistani batsmen in that regard. He took 4/43 in the recent tri-series final.
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi is a genuine wicket-taker, despite going for 15 per over in the death overs during the tri-series. He took six wickets, with two coming in each of the three stages of the innings, and has 24 wickets overall in 11 ODIs vs New Zealand.
  • If fit, Haris Rauf is a key Dream11 pick. The fast bowler has enjoyed a revival in ODIs, averaging 21.2 between overs 11-40 since the start of 2024.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team

  • Usually Babar Azam would be one of the top picks. However, his recent form after moving to opener has been shaky (62 runs in three innings in the tri-series). But, Babar can never be written off, especially given his ODI record at Karachi: 10 inns, 509 runs, avg. 50.90, SR 88.21.
  • Devon Conway comes into this game in decent form. He hit 97 against South Africa, followed by 48 in the tri-series final and 66 against Afghanistan in the warm-up.
  • Glenn Phillips is unlikely to bowl many overs given the bowling options New Zealand have. But, he is an excellent differential pick given Pakistan’s death bowling worries. In fact, Phillips smashed a century against Pakistan in the recent tri-series. Plus, he fields in the hot spots which can provide fantasy points.
  • Naseem Shah enjoys bowling in ODIs at Karachi: 5 inns, 13 wickets, avg. 20.61, SR 20.76.
  • Mitchell Santner was outstanding in the tri-series final (2/20). He averages 40.23 with the ball against Pakistan, but his economy and ability to pick wickets makes him a differential pick, especially if the Black Caps bowl first.

Other Matchups and Facts

  • Pakistan will want Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl to Kane Williamson as soon as possible. Shaheen has conceded just 30 runs in 50 balls, taking a wicket.
  • Matt Henry has dismissed Babar Azam three times in 123 balls in ODIs, conceding just 81 in the process. Henry has also dismissed Fakhar Zaman thrice (111 runs in 145 balls).
  • Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs at Karachi: 8 inns, 415 runs, avg. 69.16, SR 84.52.

CT 2025 Match 1: PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

  • Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Devon Conway
  • Batters: Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam
  • All-rounders: Agha Salman, Mitchell Santner
  • Bowlers: Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Option 2:

  • Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Devon Conway
  • Batters: Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman
  • All-rounders: Agha Salman (vc), Glenn Phillips
  • Bowlers: Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

CT 2025 Match 1: PAK vs NZ Match Prediction – Who will win?

Chasing could prove vital in this game. But, New Zealand’s greater depth and more bowling options gives them the edge. Black Caps to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

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