Star pacer returns as Pakistan opt to bowl in Champions Trophy 2025 opener clash against New Zealand: Check playing XIs

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to field first in the opener clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. Speedster Haris Rauf who got injured has made his comeback to the playing XI for the first clash. Hosts Pakistan started their campaign as defending champions but New Zealand are more confident as they defeated the hosts twice just before the mega event in the ODI tri-nation series. The tournament is making a comeback after a long gap of 29 years. 

New Zealand speedster Kyle Jamieson will miss the Champions Trophy opener clash against Pakistan. Rachin Ravindra who got injured during the first ODI of the tri-nation series against Pakistan has also missed the spot from New Zealand's playing XI.
 

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Captains at toss

Pakistan captain Rizwan at toss: We will bowl first. Seen the last couple of matches dew comes in later, so want to maximise on that. We are the defending champions so will be in a bit more pressure, but we will treat it like the previous tri-series. Playing in Pakistan will be great as well. Haris Rauf is fit again so he's back in.
 

Mitch Santner at Toss: The dew gets on later, but we have a job to do with the bat. Looks like a good wicket. We have a good mix of experience and new faces, and are playing some good cricket as well. We have been lucky to play these guys home and away, so we know each other well. What's most important is getting used to the conditions here in Karachi. The injuries we've had are unfortunate, but are confident with the boys that we have out here. Matt Henry comes back in for us.
 

New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI head-to-head

Both New Zealand and Pakistan played 118 ODI matches against each other. Out of these 118 games, New Zealand have won 53 whereas Pakistan have come out victorious on 61 occasions. 3 matches ended without a result. 1 match ended with a tie.

Playing XIs

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
 

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke