Tom Latham Provides Major Update on Ravindra, Jamieson Ahead Of Pakistan Clash

New Zealand’s quest to win the ICC Champions Trophy (then the ICC Knockout Trophy) for the second time in their history will begin on February 19 (Wednesday) against hosts Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The Blackcaps will enter the contest as favourites, but there’s still uncertainty over a couple of slots in the starting XI. One key slot is that of the second opener, with incumbent Rachin Ravindra a doubtful starter after suffering a nasty cut in the forehead in the first ODI of the tri-series involving Pakistan and South Africa.

Ravindra missed the last two tri-series games and the warm-up encounter against Afghanistan, but will he be fit for the curtain-raiser against Pakistan? Tom Latham remained tight-lipped but indicated that it will be unlikely that the left-hander will feature tomorrow.

“He [Ravindra] will train tonight, so then we will get a bit more of an indication of how he's going. So, his recovery is obviously going well, but just need to make sure,” Latham said ahead of the Pakistan clash.

“It's obviously a pretty nasty injury. So, especially when you're involved with the head, you want to make sure things are right. So, yeah, just going through the protocols that he needs to go through, and we'll wait and see.”

On the bowling front, the Kiwis have lost the services of not one but two pacers, with both Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears ruled out with injury. Kyle Jamieson was roped in today as Ferguson’s replacement, but Latham confirmed that the towering quick will not feature in the clash against Pakistan.

“No, we haven't got an 11 yet. We've obviously got training now, and we'll come up with what the 11 will be,” Latham said. 

“As you said, Kyle Jamieson is on his way over tomorrow, so he unfortunately won't be available for tomorrow's game but will be available for the rest of the tournament.”

New Zealand have more games under their belt in Pakistan - in recent times - than any other visiting team in Champions Trophy 2025. To add to that, they’ve played a tri-series in preparation for the mega event aside from playing an additional warm-up game against Afghanistan.

Latham opined that ‘eliminating surprises’ is something New Zealand want to do in this Champions Trophy.

“Yeah, I think any time you've been in conditions that you're coming up against is vital,” Latham said.

“I think we're lucky we've travelled here over the last couple of years and played Pakistan quite a bit since, probably over the last three years. 

“I think for us it's always about trying to eliminate any surprises around conditions or surprise around teams that you come up against. I guess from both teams, Pakistan, and us, we've got information on each other.”

The New Zealand Test skipper further asserted that adapting to conditions will prove key to success come the Champions Trophy.

“From our point of view, it's about playing our brand of cricket as best we can and trying to adapt to each situation,” he said of New Zealand’s gameplan.

“It's about playing what's in front of us as best we can, and whatever position that puts us in, then hopefully it will put us in a position where we're able to come out on the right side. 

"But I'm sure throughout this game, we're going to be put under pressure at times, and hopefully, we can land them back on those experiences that we had throughout the tri-series,” he added.