Pakistan's Strongest Playing 11 for the first match of the Tri Series versus New Zealand

Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan is set to lock horns versus Mitchell Santner's New Zealand in the opening contest of the Tri-series in the city of Lahore. This match will be played on the 8th of February at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium and it will commence from 2:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) onwards. 

The announcement of Pakistan's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy was met with bemusement from the majority of the fans, but the playing combination for the match versus the Kiwis is set to shed light on the plans and strategies of the Green Shirts ahead of this year's mega event. The starting 11 of the Mohammad Rizwan-led outfit in the opening encounter of the tri-series will most likely mirror the team that will walk out onto the field on the 19th of February versus the same opponents in the city of Karachi.

Pakistan's Strongest Playing-11

Top Order

Experienced batter Fakhar Zaman is set to return to the national team setup after a long gap of more than a year. He last played an ODI versus England in the 2023 ODI World Cup and he hasn't featured in the format since then. But, things have changed and he is a part of Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad and he will be expected to play a key role in the team's success. 

Fakhar's explosive batting skills can help his team get off to quick starts and dominate the opposition in the first 10 overs which is what the team management would be expecting from him. His opening partner is anticipated to be former captain Babar Azam. 

The 2nd opener's spot was a mystery as the Shaheens were left in trouble following the serious injury to Swim Ayub and in his place now, the team management is now going to place their trust in Babar Azam. 

Babar's balanced style of play can prove to be very helpful for his team as he can hold one end while Zaman attacks from the other. While the 29-year-old hasn't opened the innings in the format yet, he's a really experienced player and he will surely prove to be a perfect partner for the explosive Fakhar Zaman. 

Babar's promotion as an opener means that the number 3 spot will go to Kamran Ghulam. The 29-year-old is a promising young batter who knows how to get the better of the opposition with his intelligent game style and he will be expected to do just that in the opening match of the Tri-series versus New Zealand. 

Middle-Order

Captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is going to be the front-runner to slot in at number four, playing the role of an anchor while also accelerating the innings according to the needs of the situation. 

He will be followed by Salman Ali Agha at number five. Just like his skipper, he has a balanced style of play and he will also be looking to handle the middle-order duties in a perfect manner. 

The middle order will be completed by the duo of Faheem Ashraf & Khushdil Shah and both of them are intriguing picks in the Champions Trophy squad of Pakistan. 

Faheem is a fast-bowling all-rounder who knows how to attack from the word go and his presence in the team will provide a lot of strength and experience to the Pakistani lineup. 

His partner in crime will be spin-bowling all-rounder Khushdil Shah. He's another handy batter down the order who can go after the bowlers with ease and both of them will be anticipated to play the roles of the finishers to perfection.

Bowlers

Left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi will be leading the bowling attack of Pakistan in the opening contest of the Tri-series versus the Kiwis alongside the duo of Haris Rauf & Naseem Shah and these three form a formidable trio capable of challenging the might of New Zealand's batting lineup with swing & pace. 

Leg spinner Abrar Ahmed will be handling the spin bowling duties and he is anticipated to be the lone specialist spinner in the team. His variations are what makes him special and in familiar home conditions, he will certainly thrive in the middle phase of the match.

Strongest Playing 11 of Pakistan for the match versus New Zealand: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain and WK), Kamran Ghulam, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf.

Do Read: When and Where to watch the Tri Series between Pakistan, South Africa & New Zealand in India?