Conway To Open? Williamson At 3; New Zealand’s Strongest XI For Champions Trophy Opener vs PAK

Kane Williamson and Devon Conway [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]

New Zealand will be riding the winning momentum straight into the Champions Trophy 2025 with their recent Tri-Series win in Pakistan where they managed to defeat the Men in Green twice. With a massive push and a kind of warm-up for their CT campaign, the BlackCaps are ready to take on any adversity.

As they gear up for their campaign as well as the tournament opener against Pakistan on February 19, here’s a tactical breakdown of their strongest XI, balancing form, roles, and conditions.

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Should Will Young Open With Rachin? 

Let's admit it, Will Young has been faltering at the top recently with single-digit scores of 5 and 4 against Pakistan in the Tri-Series. As Devon Conway made a strong case to open, instead of Young, boasting figures of 48 and 97 in his last two ODIs, he can partner with Rachin. 

Young failed to prove his worth at the top with his inconsistent performances and hence, Conway, who is a proven performer, should come with the bat early and contribute to build longer innings.

Coming to no. 2,  Rachin Ravindra who was promoted to open after his World Cup heroics of 578 runs at a strike rate of 106.45. Though he succumbed to a lethal injury during the Pakistan Tri-Series, given, that he recovers in time, he can partner with Conway to dig up the foundational runs.

Kane Williamson's return from injury bolsters the core. With 14 ODI centuries and a career strike rate of 81.62, his calm at No. 3 is non-negotiable to anchor any early fallout triggered by Pakistan's pace attack. Williamson makes a strong case for the No. 3 spot as he has shown potential with a solid average of 56.08 in the 24 ODI matches he has played against the Men in Green.

Middle Order Boasts Firepower & Flexibility

In the middle order, handling Pakistan's attacks, there will be explosive all-rounder Daryl Mitchell. A clutch performer, Mitchell, has averaged 49.71 since 2023, at a strike rate of 99.7 in ODIs. It speaks volume about his authority over the format. Against Pakistan, also Mitchell's average stands at 53.60 which can establish him as a star performer in the all-rounder section for his team. 

Though Tom Latham has not been at his shining form recently, he remains a vital cog in the Kiwi batting attack against Pakistan as he has played the Men in Green 25 times in ODIs at a strike rate of 84.7 and has five fifties to his name. Hence, Latham's contributions will be necessary for the Kiwis in tight games.

Then the batting lineup can be wrapped up by 'finisher' Glenn Phillips who is a star all-rounder for the Black Caps with his destructive prowess in the game both with the bat and the ball.

The Dominating Bowling Attack

Mitchell Santner, the skipper of the Kiwis can not be denied with the bat too. While he chips in with his crucial spin bowling, he can also perform, as a lower-order hitter. Scalping 5 wickets in the Tri-Series, Santner is in form and can prove to be a worthy leader for his team. 

Michael Bracewell can partner with Santner to utilise whatever help they might get from Pakistan pitches. The off-spinner was in decent form in Super Smash 2024-25 picking 7 wickets at an economy rate of 8.15.

The Formidable Pace Trio

New Zealand’s three-pronged pace attack of Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and rising star William O’Rourke will present a multi-dimensional threat to Pakistan in their Champions Trophy opener, combining raw pace, swing, and steep bounce to exploit the hosts’ conditions. 

In the middle overs, Ferguson’s raw pace and swing can disrupt Pakistan's flow of runs. Pakistan’s batters, often accused of struggling against extra bounce and movement, could find themselves cornered.

While raw pace is always appreciated, Matt Henry and O'Rourke's work with the ball can also dismantle Pakistan's lineups early. Henry scalped 3 wickets in the 1st ODI against Pakistan while O' Rourke scalped 4 timbers in the final ODI against Pakistan, displaying capability to menace the Men in Greens.

New Zealand's Strongest Playing XI For 1st Champions Trophy Match vs Pakistan

Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Will O’Rourke

Notably, if Lockie Ferguson misses out due to injury, Jacob Duffy should replace him in the playing XI.

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