PAK vs NZ Match Prediction – Who will Win Today’s Match? Pitch Report, Playing 11 – 1st Match, ICC Champions Trophy 2025

PAK vs NZ Match Prediction: The prolonged wait for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is finally going to be over. With an inaugural match between two rival teams of Group A, defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand. The 1st ODI is all set to kick off at the National Stadium, Karachi, on February 19, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST. This 50-50 over match will be played as a day-night match, which is expected to be an intense competition. 

Pakistan 

It is the first time the Champions Trophy is going to be held in Pakistan with some of the matches being held in Dubai. The home ground adds an extra layer of benefit that this team holds. The balanced team has cultivated both run-getters and wicket-takers over the years, reflecting through 3rd place in the ICC ODI ranking. However, Pakistan has gone through a setback in the final of a Tri-series against New Zealand In the most recent match. Everyone was surprised when Pakistan chased down 352 runs by South Africa, but then the batting order exhibited poor performance, especially the openers. It did not sound difficult for New Zealand as the Kiwis hunted the target of 243 runs, having five batters yet to bat. The match went out of the sight of Pakistan with 28 balls pending to complete 50 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan, as a captain, tried hard to attach the strings of batting together with 46 runs off 76 balls. However, it was not the day for Pakistani batters just right after witnessing two centuries of Salman Ali Agha and the captain himself in the previous match against South Africa. 

Except for Naseem Shah, no other bowler got two wickets, and among the main bowlers, he relentlessly completed his eight overs to give away 5-6 runs per over. 

New Zealand 

It is too early to underestimate the team of New Zealand. The team is racing ahead to come under the top three teams as per the ICC ODI ranking after winning a recent Tri-series final. The efforts did not go unnoticed as New Zealand entered the final of the most recent Tri-series while staying unbeaten. The team seized the chance to get to bowl first in the final after losing the toss in the recently held last match against Pakistan. Much credit went to New Zealand bowlers this time as previous matches were high-scoring, but despite in-form batters getting to bat first, Pakistan finished the inning around the average score for the first inning. Except for the opening partnership, the rest of the batters played cautiously and chose grounded shots. 

Will O’Rourke was the player of the match as he picked up four wickets and prevented Pakistani batters from making it big this time. 

Daryl Mitchell, who is regularly selected in the squad, played an inning of 57 runs off 58 balls. 

As the first ODI match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is the next cricket encounter in international cricket, this fixture will be a thrilling clash as no team can afford to lose a match. 

Stay Connected for all the updates that you need on the Playing 11, Match prediction, and fantasy cricket tips, along with information on upcoming matches. 

PAK vs NZ Match Prediction Details, 1st ODI, ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Also see: PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today Match 1st

National Stadium, Pitch And Weather Report

It is pleasant for batters to embark on making runs on the flat track at the National Stadium. The bounce prevails, with which the ball strikes on the bat. A major factor for batters is that the distance to the boundary is relatively shorter. The decision to chase here is not the first choice, as a toss-winning captain is likely to bat first. The fast bowlers have a good time only during the opening of the inning, while the needle of bowling slides towards slow bowlers as the match progresses. The team following a huge target can be seen under pressure. 

Also see: PAK vs NZ Toss Prediction

National Stadium, ODI Records

Pakistan vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Records

PAK vs NZ Today’s Probable 11

Key Players to Watch Out in PAK vs NZ, 1st Match

Top Batters 

Kane Williamson

• Kane Williamson is a top-order batter who deploys his right hand to bat. 
• Kane Williamson holds an average of 49.54 and has scored 14 centuries in his ODI career so far, including an unbeaten hundred in recent tri-series. 

Also, keep your eyes on Daryl Mitchell and Salman Ali Agha 

Mohammad Rizwan

• Mohammad Rizwan is a right-hand batter who plays in the fourth position. 
• Mohammad Rizwan is in form and scored the highest number of runs among all batters (46 runs off 76 balls) in the Pakistan team in the last match. 

Devon Conway

• Devon Conway is a top-order batsman who picks up left-hand batting style. 
• In the second ODI of the tri-series, Devon Conway played as an opener in replacement of injured Rachin Ravindra. Devon thrashed the bowling lineup and took his score to 97 runs off 107 balls during a successful chase above 300 runs. 

Also, keep your eyes on Fakhar Zaman

Top Bowlers 

Will O’Rourke 

• Will O’Rourke is a right-arm fast bowler.  
• The best bowling figure (4/43) for Will O’Rourke came in the final of tri-series. In nine ODI matches, he has managed an economy of 5.85.  

Also, keep an eye on – Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell 

Naseem Shah

• Naseem Shah is a young right-arm fast bowler.  
• In a recent Tri-series final match, Naseem Shah grabbed two wickets.  

Also, keep an eye on – Shaheen Shah Afridi 

PAK vs NZ Match Prediction Scenarios 

Today Match Prediction – Opt to Bat First to Win The Match

Also see:

• Mohammad Rizwan Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Babar Azam Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Fakhar Zaman Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Tayyab Tahir Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Faheem Ashraf Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Khushdil Shah Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Naseem Shah Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Shaheen Afridi Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Haris Rauf Records and Stats at National Stadium
• Agha Salman Records and Stats at National Stadium

FAQs 

Disclaimer: All Predictions are made based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. Please refer to records and stats to finalize your Predictions. You are not bound to follow these predictions.