PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction, 1st ODI: Pakistan vs New Zealand Fantasy XI, Playing XI, Captain and Vice-Captain Choices

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PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction, 1st ODI: Pakistan is set to host New Zealand in the 1st ODI of the Tri-Nation Series, a crucial preparatory tournament for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The Men in Green will be eager to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the marquee event, while the Black Caps aim to adjust to subcontinental conditions.

Both teams have named strong squads, with Pakistan relying on their pace battery of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, while New Zealand banks on the experience of Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry.

Match Information

• Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
• Date: February 8, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM IST | 2:00 PM Local Time
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Broadcast: Sony Sports Network
• Live Stream: FanCode

Pitch and Weather Conditions

Weather Report:

The weather in Lahore is expected to be overcast with mild temperatures around 22°C. There is a slight chance of rain, but it is unlikely to disrupt play. The humidity levels will be moderate, which might assist swing bowlers early on.

Pitch Report:

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch is traditionally a batting-friendly surface. The average first-innings score here is 284, indicating that teams can put up high totals. However, early in the match, pacers will get some swing due to the weather conditions.

• Pace vs Spin: Fast bowlers will get initial movement under lights, while spinners will dominate in the middle overs as the pitch slows down.
• Chasing vs Defending: The venue has seen balanced results, but teams batting first have won slightly more games. If dew sets in, chasing will become easier.
• Strategy: Winning the toss and batting first is a good option, as the surface tends to slow down later in the game.

Overall Verdict: Expect a high-scoring contest with bowlers needing to be disciplined in their approach. Batters who settle in early will have a big advantage.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Preview

Pakistan

Pakistan has been dominant in ODIs, winning recent series against South Africa (3-0), Zimbabwe (2-1), and Australia (2-1). Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side, with Babar Azam expected to open alongside Fakhar Zaman. Agha Salman’s all-round abilities provide balance, while the trio of Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris will spearhead the pace attack.

New Zealand

New Zealand enters the series after a convincing win over Sri Lanka. Kane Williamson returns to bolster the batting, supported by Devon Conway and Will Young. With Lockie Ferguson’s availability uncertain, Matt Henry will lead the pace attack, while Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra provide spin options.

Key Players to Watch

Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – The Backbone of NZ’s Batting

Kane Williamson is the most reliable batter in New Zealand’s lineup. With 6810 runs in 165 ODIs at an impressive average of 48.64, Williamson is known for his consistency and ability to build innings. His experience in subcontinental conditions will be crucial in handling Pakistan’s spin attack.

Agha Salman (Pakistan) – A Versatile All-Rounder

Agha Salman has established himself as a key middle-order batter for Pakistan. With 696 runs in 30 ODIs, he provides stability in the middle overs. Additionally, his off-spin bowling has been effective, picking up 15 wickets. His dual role makes him an invaluable asset for the team.

Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan) – Pakistan’s Mystery Spinner

Abrar Ahmed is Pakistan’s go-to spinner for this series. In just 4 ODIs, he has already claimed 10 wickets, with best figures of 4/33. His variations and unpredictable deliveries make him a nightmare for batters, especially on spinning tracks like Lahore.

Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – The All-Format Star

Mohammad Rizwan is known for his consistency across all formats. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he has been in excellent ODI form, scoring 53, 80, 30*, and 44 in his last few innings. His ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when needed makes him a perfect pick for Dream11 teams.

Matt Henry (New Zealand) – The X-Factor in NZ’s Bowling

Matt Henry is a key weapon in New Zealand’s pace attack. With 150 wickets in 85 ODIs, he is known for his ability to swing the new ball and pick early wickets. His recent form has been exceptional, including a five-wicket haul in Super Smash 2024-25 and two four-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka.

PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Wicketkeepers:

Mohammad Rizwan, Tom Latham

Batters:

Kane Williamson, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Will Young

All-rounders:

Agha Salman, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips

Bowlers:

Matt Henry, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf

Captain Choices:

Mohammad Rizwan, Kane Williamson

Vice-Captain Choices:

Mitchell Santner, Haris Rauf

Team News & Injury Updates

• Pakistan: Saim Ayub is ruled out due to an ankle injury.
• New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson is doubtful due to a hamstring issue.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Probable Playing XI

Pakistan

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf/Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

New Zealand

Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell/Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith/Ben Sears, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Full Squad

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali.

New Zealand

Mitchell Santner (c), Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Tom Latham (wk), Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Ben Sears, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson (subject to fitness).