By The Sampadak Express
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to kick off with the defending champions and hosts, Pakistan, facing New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. This highly anticipated clash comes just days after the two teams met in the final of a tri-series, which served as a prelude to the tournament. The tri-series was also held at the same venue, providing both sides with a glimpse into their preparations for the prestigious event.
New Zealand’s Confidence vs Pakistan’s Concerns
Based on their recent performances in the tri-series, New Zealand will enter the match with a sense of optimism. Their dominant showing in the tournament, especially their victory over Pakistan in the final, has bolstered their confidence. Pakistan, on the other hand, will have a few concerns to address. A loss in the opening match of the Champions Trophy could severely dent their chances of progressing in the tournament, which makes this encounter all the more critical.
Head-to-Head Record: Pakistan vs New Zealand in ODIs
The rivalry between Pakistan and New Zealand dates back several decades. Their first encounter in One Day Internationals (ODIs) took place on February 11, 1973, during a bilateral series. At that time, ODIs had flexible formats, with the number of overs varying between 40 to 60 per side. In this particular match, each team played 40 overs. New Zealand batted first, posting a total of 187 runs in 38.3 overs. Mark Burgess was their top scorer with 47 runs off 69 balls, while Pakistan’s Sarfraz Nawaz claimed four wickets. Pakistan’s response was disappointing, as they were bowled out for 165 runs, losing the match by 22 runs. Despite a solid effort from their bowlers, including Waqar Younis’ 4-wicket haul, the legendary Richard Hadlee went wicketless, but his brother Dale was instrumental with four wickets for New Zealand.
Over the years, the two teams have squared off in 118 ODIs, with Pakistan holding a slight edge, having won 61 of those encounters. New Zealand, however, have not been far behind, winning 53 of their meetings. Three of these matches ended with no result, while one memorable clash ended in a tie. That historic tie came during the fourth ODI in Auckland on March 13, 1994. Pakistan, after being restricted to 161/9 in 50 overs, saw New Zealand also all out for 161 runs, with Waqar Younis producing a remarkable spell of 6 wickets for 30 runs in 9.4 overs.
Head-to-Head in the Champions Trophy
In the context of the Champions Trophy, the two teams have met on three occasions, with New Zealand emerging victorious each time. Their first encounter in the tournament took place in 2000, in Nairobi, Kenya, where New Zealand won by four wickets. The second meeting occurred in 2006 in Mohali, India, where New Zealand triumphed by 51 runs. Their most recent meeting in the Champions Trophy was in 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa, where New Zealand won by five wickets.
With the 2025 Champions Trophy now underway, the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand promises to be a thrilling contest. New Zealand’s recent success against Pakistan, including their dominance in the tri-series, gives them the upper hand going into this clash. However, with the tournament format leaving no room for error, Pakistan will be eager to make a strong statement at home and kick off their title defense with a win. The head-to-head statistics may favor Pakistan overall, but New Zealand’s Champions Trophy record against them is undeniable. It all sets the stage for what could be a crucial encounter to start the tournament.
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