ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Match 1 - Pakistan vs New Zealand - Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions - February 19

Here are the Fantasy Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for the ICC Champions Trophy, Match 1 - Pakistan vs New Zealand, to be played on the 19th of February at the National Stadium, Karachi.

LIVE SCORES - Match 1 - Pakistan vs New Zealand (National Stadium, Karachi)

Current Form Pakistan:

Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy. They beat India in the 2017 Tournament's Final.

They are currently placed at the 3rd place on ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 108.

When it comes to ODI's, they have had a decent match practice in the ODI Tri Series held in Pakistan recently. Although, they lost to New Zealand in the Finals, they are still considered one of the favorites for the tournament.

Players to look out for:

1. Fakhar Zaman - The hero of 2017 Champions Trophy, Zaman will play an important role for Pakistan with the bat. If he gets going in the tournament, Pakistan will have decent chances to enter the Semi Finals.

2. Shaheen Afridi - He is the strike bowler who can provide early breakthroughs for Pakistan. His performance with the ball will play an important for Pakistan in the upcoming matches.

Current Form New Zealand:

New Zealand failed to perform well in the last edition as they couldn't qualify for the Semi Finals.

They are currently placed at 4th position on ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 104.

When it comes to ODI's, New Zealand are in a decent form. They have recently won the ODI Tri Series held in Pakistan, beating the hosts comprehensively.

With the form they are in, New Zealand are expected to go a long way in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Players to look out for:

1. Kane Williamson - He showed signs of great form with the bat in the recently concluded Pakistan ODI Tri Series. Williamson will play a key role for his team in the ICC Champions Trophy.

2. Mitchell Santner - He is a highly skilled left arm spinner and the skipper for New Zealand team. Santner has a knack of providing breakthroughs at important junctures of a game.

Let's have a look at the squads:

Pakistan

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

New Zealand

Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Pakistan

Who will win?- Pakistan

Top Batter (Runs Scored) - Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) - Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

Most Sixes – Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)

Player of the Match- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Team Scores Batting first – Pakistan 320+, New Zealand 300+

Match Handicap: Pakistan

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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