The Champions Trophy 2025 begins with a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, setting the stage for high-intensity cricket. As both teams eye a strong start to their campaign, individual milestones for key players add further excitement to this contest.
Key Milestones to Watch in the Opening Clash
1. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) – 65 runs away from 1,000 ODI runs
New Zealand’s power-hitter Glenn Phillips is on the verge of a significant milestone, needing just 65 more runs to complete 1,000 ODI runs. Given his ability to accelerate the innings, this milestone could be achieved in no time if he gets going.
2. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 2 dismissals away from 100 ODI dismissals
Pakistan’s captain and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan is just two dismissals short of reaching 100 in ODIs. Known for his sharp glovework behind the stumps, Rizwan will be eager to reach this landmark while also leading Pakistan’s chase for a winning start.
3. Naseem Shah (Pakistan) – 5 wickets away from 50 ODI wickets
Pakistan’s young pace sensation Naseem Shah is just five wickets away from reaching 50 ODI wickets. With the Karachi pitch expected to assist fast bowlers early on, Naseem could well achieve this feat in the very first game of the tournament.
Pakistan Wins Toss, Opts to Field
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing the impact of dew later in the match as a key factor. Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner emphasized the importance of adapting to conditions and putting up a strong total on the board.
Playing XIs for Pakistan vs New Zealand
New Zealand XI:
- Devon Conway
- Will Young
- Kane Williamson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (w)
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Nathan Smith
- Matt Henry
- William O’Rourke
Pakistan 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
As the Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off, all eyes will be on Phillips, Rizwan, and Naseem to see if they can etch their names into the record books while guiding their teams to an important first victory. With both teams fielding strong lineups, this opening clash promises to set the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.
