Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

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.