PAK vs NZ Playing 11, 1st ODI: Pakistan vs New Zealand Probable Playing XI, Preview, Key Player, Injury Update

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PAK vs NZ Playing 11, 1st ODI: The cricketing rivalry between Pakistan and New Zealand resumes as the two teams clash in the 1st ODI of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 8.

With both teams preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, this series provides a crucial platform to fine-tune strategies and test their squad combinations. Pakistan, under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, will look to continue their recent dominance in ODIs, having secured series wins against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, will aim to bounce back after a 3-2 series defeat against Sri Lanka. As two competitive teams gear up for an exciting battle, fans can expect a high-scoring encounter on a batting-friendly surface in Lahore.

Match Information

• Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
• Date: February 8, 2025
• Time: 02:30 PM IST
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Live Streaming: JioTV
• Live Broadcast: Sony Sports Network

Also read: Tri-Series in Pakistan 2025 Broadcast List: Commentators, Telecast & Live Streaming in India & Rest of The World

Pakistan vs New Zealand Weather & Pitch Report

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is expected to produce a batting-friendly surface, with high scores likely. While pacers might get early swing movement, the pitch will flatten out under the lights, favouring stroke play. The team winning the toss might prefer to chase due to the dew factor.

Weather Forecast:

• Temperature: 21°C – 22°C
• Humidity: 55%
• Wind Speed: 11 km/h
• Chance of Rain: 0% (no interruptions expected)

Pakistan vs New Zealand Match Preview:

Pakistan enter the contest in strong form, boasting a well-balanced squad with a mix of experienced stars and young talents. Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan will spearhead the batting lineup, while their pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah will look to exploit any early movement on the pitch. Playing at home, Pakistan will have the advantage of familiarity with conditions, and their batters will look to capitalize on the flat surface at Gaddafi Stadium.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be determined to make a strong statement in the series. With Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips in their ranks, the Black Caps have a formidable batting order capable of handling Pakistan’s pace attack. Skipper Mitchell Santner, along with Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, will be key in restricting Pakistan’s run flow, especially during the middle overs.

PAK vs NZ: Probable Playing XI

Pakistan Probable XI:

• Fakhar Zaman
• Babar Azam
• Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK)
• Kamran Ghulam
• Saud Shakeel
• Salman Agha
• Tayyab Tahir
• Shaheen Afridi
• Naseem Shah
• Haris Rauf
• Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand Probable XI:

• Will Young
• Rachin Ravindra
• Kane Williamson
• Daryl Mitchell
• Tom Latham (WK)
• Glenn Phillips
• Michael Bracewell
• Mitchell Santner (C)
• Matt Henry
• Jacob Duffy
• Lockie Ferguson

Key Players to Watch Out For

Babar Azam (Pakistan)

The star batter will be eager to make an impact in this series, having a brilliant record at Gaddafi Stadium. His ability to anchor innings will be key to Pakistan’s success.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

A technically sound batsman, Williamson has an ODI average of 48.3 with 6,811 runs in 165 matches. His experience will be crucial for New Zealand’s batting lineup.

Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

The Kiwi all-rounder is in top form, providing stability with both bat and ball. His aggressive approach can make a difference in the middle overs.

Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

With raw pace and an impressive ODI record, Haris Rauf will be Pakistan’s key weapon in breaking partnerships and restricting the opposition’s scoring rate.

PAK vs NZ Injury Updates

• Pakistan: No major injury concerns; full squad available.
• New Zealand: Devon Conway and Ben Sears are recovering from minor niggles but are expected to be fit for selection.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Full Squads

Pakistan Squad:

Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Salman Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel.

New Zealand Squad:

Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, William O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Michael Bracewell, Will Young, Mark Chapman.