The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off with a blockbuster clash between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium Karachi on February 19. As fantasy cricket enthusiasts gear up for this high-stakes match, here’s a data-driven guide to optimize your Dream11, My11Circle, or Sportskeeda fantasy teams.
Champions Trophy 2025 Match Preview: Pakistan vs New Zealand
Head-to-Head Record & Recent Form
Pakistan and New Zealand have a storied ODI rivalry, with Pakistan winning 61 of 118 matches and New Zealand claiming 53 victories . However, recent form favors the Kiwis, who won all three encounters in the 2025 ODI Tri-Series, including a dominant five-wicket victory in the final . Pakistan, the defending champions, will rely on home advantage and a revamped squad led by Mohammad Rizwan, while New Zealand’s confidence is buoyed by Kane Williamson’s stellar form .
Venue Deep Dive: National Stadium Karachi
- Pitch Behavior: A balanced surface offering early swing for pacers (e.g., Shaheen Afridi) and turn for spinners (e.g., Mitchell Santner) in the middle overs. The average first-innings score here is 270–300, with teams chasing winning 60% of matches .
- Weather Impact: Sunny skies at 29°C ensure uninterrupted play, favoring batters to capitalize on powerplays .
Key Players for Fantasy Cricket Success
Top Batters to Watch
- Babar Azam (PAK): The linchpin of Pakistan’s batting, averaging 56 in ODIs and 51 at this venue .
- Kane Williamson (NZ): With 1,290 runs in 24 H2H matches, his consistency makes him a must-have .
All-Rounder Value Picks
- Agha Salman (PAK): Scored 219 runs and took a wicket in the Tri-Series, offering dual value .
- Mitchell Santner (NZ): The spin-bowling captain took 5 wickets at an economy of 4.1 in recent matches .
Bowlers with High Fantasy Potential
- Shaheen Afridi (PAK): 24 wickets in 11 H2H games, lethal in powerplays .
- Matt Henry (NZ): A proven wicket-taker with 5/2 odds to dominate .
Fantasy Team Building Strategies
Dream11 Team Composition Tips
- Captain/Vice-Captain Choices:
- Kane Williamson (c): 1,290 H2H runs and a 112.5 Tri-Series average .
- Fakhar Zaman (vc): Aggressive opener with match-winning potential .
- Budget Picks:
- Michael Bracewell (NZ): Dual skills at 8.5 credits .
- Tayyab Tahir (PAK): Middle-order dynamo at 7.5 credits .
Platform-Specific Tactics
- My11Circle: Prioritize all-rounders like Agha Salman for multi-point contributions.
- Vision11: Balance powerplay batters (Fakhar Zaman) and death-over spinners (Abrar Ahmed) .
1. Who is the best wicketkeeper pick?
Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) edges Devon Conway (NZ) due to his 408 runs in 12 H2H matches and leadership role .
2. How does the toss impact fantasy choices?
Teams prefer bowling first to exploit early swing, making bowlers like Shaheen Afridi or Matt Henry crucial .
3. Is Lockie Ferguson playing?
No. Ferguson is injured, replaced by Kyle Jamieson .
Visuals & Data Tables
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Pakistan | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 118 | 118 |
| Wins | 61 | 53 |
| Last 5 ODIs | 2 | 3 |
Venue Stats (National Stadium Karachi)
| Avg. 1st Innings | Chasing Win % | Best Bowler Type |
|---|---|---|
| 270–300 | 60% | Pace |
Check out the Champions Trophy Schedule, Champions Trophy Live Score, Champions Trophy Squads , Champions Trophy Stats Champions Trophy Tour, Champions Trophy Venues & Champions Trophy Latest News here!
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
