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Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy Tips - Dark Horses could spring a surprise

By Sridhar Bhamidi

17 Feb 2025

Sridhar Bhamidi 17 Feb 2025

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Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy ODI match predictions to be played in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19
New Zealand won 3 of their last 4 ODIs against Pakistan
Pakistan lost all 3 Champions Trophy matches against New Zealand

Can the Kiwis surprise Pakistan once again? (Getty Images)

Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy

The wait is over, and the start of the ICC Champions Trophy is upon us. It’s the hosts, Pakistan, taking on dark horses New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament. This Group A match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, with the day-night game starting at 2:30 pm IST. India and Bangladesh are the other two teams in this group.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy
Head to Head
Pakistan Form
Pakistan Team News
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Team News
Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy FAQs

It was last week that these sides faced each other in a tri-series tournament also featuring South Africa. Both those matches were won by the Kiwis, who may have cracked the code for winning in the subcontinent. I am backing the dark horses again and putting my money on New Zealand winning here.

New Zealand won 3 of their last 4 matches against Pakistan (ODIs).
Pakistan lost their last 3 home matches against New Zealand (ODIs).
New Zealand have won all 3 Champions Trophy matches against Pakistan (ODIs).
Pakistan lost 6 of their last 10 matches in the Champions Trophy (ODIs).

Head to Head

Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other in 118 ODIs so far. Of these, there have been 61 wins for the Men in Green and 53 wins for the Kiwis. One match was tied, while three ended without any result.

The two teams played each other in two matches in the tri-series tournament preceding this competition. New Zealand won both these matches, by 78 runs in the league phase and by five wickets in the final.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan are the defending champions of this tournament, which was last played in the year 2017. As the tournament takes shape again, the Green Caps will hope to make the most of the home conditions.

The hosts were last seen in this format in the tri-series, where they won one match and lost two. Interestingly, both their defeats came against the Kiwis.

Salman Agha (219 runs) was the best batter for Pakistan in that series, while Shaheen Shah Afridi (six wickets) was their best bowler.

Pakistan Team News

Haris Rauf is expected to be fit for this match, which could mean Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, and one of Tayyab Tahir or Khushdil Shah could be left out of Pakistan’s playing XI.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand won this tournament way back in 2000, but their last appearance in 2017 was disastrous. They finished bottom of the group with two defeats and one no result.

The Kiwis are in great form coming into this tournament, though, having won the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa. Going back in time, they have won five of their last six ODIs.

In the tri-series, it was the reliable Kane Williamson (225 runs, SR 89.64) leading the batting for the Kiwis with Daryl Mitchell chipping in with two 50+ scores. Bowling has been a joint effort, as always, and William O’Rourke (six) was their leading bowler, followed by three bowlers with five wickets each.

New Zealand Team News

Ben Sears has withdrawn due to an injury and has been replaced by Jacob Duffy in the squad. All eyes will be on Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson ahead of this match, as they look to regain full fitness.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy FAQs

Where can I watch the Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy live stream.

What time does Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy start?

This Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy match is being played at the National Stadium in Karachi starting at 2:30 p.m. IST on Wednesday, February 19.

Verdict

Pakistan v New Zealand - One Day Match

New Zealand have been consistently showing that the sum of parts is greater than the whole! Their template is working wonders, even in the subcontinental conditions. Although Pakistan have an edge in home conditions, I am backing New Zealand to once again surprise Pakistan.