As Pakistan and New Zealand gear up for their highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener in Karachi, historical stats and recent form set the stage for an exciting contest. Both teams have previously lifted the Champions Trophy, with New Zealand winning in 2000 and Pakistan in 2017—both times defeating India in the final.
Head-to-Head in Champions Trophy
New Zealand holds a perfect record against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, having won all three of their previous encounters in 2000, 2006, and 2009. Pakistan will be eager to break this streak and start their campaign on a winning note.
Recent ODI Record: A Tight Battle
Since the start of 2023, Pakistan and New Zealand have faced off 11 times in ODIs, with results closely contested. Pakistan has won six matches, while New Zealand has claimed five victories, including three of the last four meetings.
Daryl Mitchell’s Batting Prowess
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has been a standout performer with the bat. Among the 47 New Zealand batters to have scored 1,000+ ODI runs, he boasts the highest batting average (50.42) and an impressive strike rate of 97.89. Remarkably, the five batters above him on the all-time run list all average below 30.
Shaheen Afridi: The Tournament’s Top Wicket-Taker
Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has been in lethal form. Since the end of the 2023 World Cup, he has claimed 21 wickets at an average of 22.04, making him the highest wicket-taker among bowlers from the eight teams in this tournament.
Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Still in the Squad
Only three players from Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy-winning squad remain in the current lineup: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Faheem Ashraf. Their experience could prove crucial as Pakistan looks to reclaim the title.
With history, stats, and recent form setting the stage, the Pakistan vs. New Zealand opener promises to be a thrilling encounter in Karachi.
