PAK vs NZ: Haris Rauf Returns As Pakistan Opt To Chase In Champions Trophy Opener

Pakistan have been handed a huge boost heading into the first game of the 2025 Champions Trophy, with ace speedster Haris Rauf returning to the starting XI for the clash against New Zealand.

Rauf sustained a side strain in the first ODI of the tri-series and was a doubt for the Champions Trophy, but the right-arm tearaway is back in the starting XI after fully recovering from the injury. He takes the place of Faheem Ashraf, and will form Pakistan’s pace attack alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

New Zealand, on the other hand, do not have the same luck as Rachin Ravindra misses the clash after not being cleared to play in the contest. Ravindra, like Rauf, sustained an injury in the first ODI of the tri-series - a nasty cut to his forehead that ended up ruling him out of the entirety of the tri-series. 

In Ravindra’s absence, it will be Will Young and Devon Conway who will open for the Blackcaps. Meanwhile, with Kyle Jamieson still not having arrived, it’s Nathan Smith who will be the third pacer for the Kiwis.

Teams

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

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 ORourke

What the captains said

Rizwan: We will bowl first. Seen the last couple of matches dew comes in later, so want to maximise on that. We are the defending champions so will be in a bit more pressure, but we will treat it like the previous tri-series. Playing in Pakistan will be great as well. 

Santner: The dew gets on later, but we have a job to do with the bat. Looks like a good wicket. We have a good mix of experience and new faces, and are playing some good cricket as well. We have been lucky to play these guys home and away, so we know each other well. What's most important is getting used to the conditions here in Karachi. The injuries we've had are unfortunate, but are confident with the boys that we have out here.

Pitch Report

Matthew Hayden believes that this will be tough pitch to contain on. With there being a strong breeze, Hayden expects the batting sides to utilise the shorter square boundaries. But he also expects spin to play a part due to the dry nature of the wicket.